Sunday January 6, 2008

Mozambique floods worsen, affect transport to neighboring countries

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) - Flooding in Mozambique worsened Sunday, cutting the main road from the central port of Beira to Zimbabwe, and disrupting traffic to the landlocked neighboring countries of Zambia and Malawi.

Authorities warned the situation might become more acute if rain continued to fall in Zimbabwe - where rains are reported to be the heaviest since colonial era records began a century ago.

In Zimbabwe, at least 27 people have died and health authorities reported treating more than 400 cases of severe diarrhea blamed on collapsing sanitation worsened by torrential rain in Harare's impoverished eastern townships.

No loss of life has been reported in Mozambique, which has improved its disaster management in recent years. Authorities said they have so far rescued 13,000 people from the rising waters, with the help of two helicopters and 350 army staff.

On the north bank of the Zambezi river, government officials said they were considering forcibly evacuating 10,000 people from flood-prone areas after they refused appeals to leave voluntarily.

On Saturday, according to the statistics from the National Water Board, the Zambezi river rose above the 5-meter (16-foot) flood level for the first time this season.-AP

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