Seventeen people have died and 46 were injured due to lightning strikes in Zambézia, Mozambique, since October of the previous year. Heavy rains have severely impacted local communities, destroying over 800 homes, partially damaging schools and health facilities, and affecting thousands of individuals. Emergency aid has been organized by the National Institute for Natural Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD).
In the province of Zambézia, Mozambique, at least seventeen individuals have tragically lost their lives due to lightning strikes, with an additional 46 individuals sustaining injuries since October of the previous year. Local authorities have reported that during this period, assistance was extended to 120 families impacted by severe rains and subsequent flooding.
The provincial delegate of the National Institute for Natural Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), Mr. Hélder da Costa, provided this information during the 1st Ordinary Session of the State Representation Council in Quelimane. He stated that the ongoing rainy season has seen moderate to heavy rainfall, sometimes exceeding 30 millimeters within a 24-hour span, particularly affecting several districts including Morrumbala and Quelimane.
Consequences of these weather conditions were dire; more than 800 homes were entirely devastated, and over 1,300 residences, including nine health facilities and 46 schools, experienced partial damage. This situation has disrupted the education of approximately 22,000 students and 390 teachers. Furthermore, significant damage was reported with 63.94 kilometers of roads hindered, the collapse of 44 electricity transmission poles, and 36 hectares of cultivated land being flooded.
Mr. Da Costa also indicated that the INGD pre-positioned essential supplies, including oil, soap, rice, and tents, in districts prone to adverse weather impacts such as Luabo and Chinde. Additionally, 120 families in Gurué, Luabo, and Molumbo received emergency assistance encompassing both food and non-food items like tents and water purification devices.
To facilitate further aid, the delegation has dispatched nine vessels for effective distribution in the affected districts. There will be one boat assigned to each district, with two allocated to Quelimane. Mr. Da Costa assured that alongside INGD’s resources, additional vessels from partner organizations will be available for distribution.
The province of Zambézia faces a significant humanitarian challenge due to the recent lightning strikes and flooding, which have resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries. In response, local authorities are mobilizing resources and aid for those affected while seeking to enhance communication and partnerships with media outlets. The situation calls for urgent attention and collaborative efforts both nationally and internationally to restore essential infrastructure and support the affected communities.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
