floods

Malawi's reputation for improving food production could be in peril, according to Lameck Masina’s analysis published on the All Africa website

Masina states that after years developing its capacity to feed itself, Malawi has recently suffered a series of devastating natural setbacks with thousands currently facing food shortages.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Mozambique has collaborated with the government to assist in the evacuation of residents affected by the heavy rains.

Mozambican authorities say they have evacuated about 3 000 families affected by floods to higher ground, since yesterday.

UNDP's humanitarian coordinating officer in Mozambique, Casimiro Sande, says the flooding is caused by the high rain fall recorded in South Africa and other countries as Mozambique is in a downstream.

At least 40 people have been killed since the start of the rains.

Doctors without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontierès (MSF), the South African Police Services and the Musina Local Municipality have set up a base at Dongola, Limpopo.

The base aimed at providing shelter to more than 150 flood victims, some of which have been stranded on rooftops in the greater Mapungubwe area and rescued by military helicopter.

Meanwhile, Coal of Africa Limited, a mining company operating in the area, has forced to halt its operations.

A new study conducted by for the NGO, International Rivers, has found that the massive hydropower dams built on the Zambezi River, the largest river system in Southern Africa, not only supply power to major economies in the region but also help mitigate annual floods.

The organisation warns however, that as electricity demands grow and rising global temperatures affect rainfall patterns, the dams will be unable to meet energy needs or control floods.

More than 10 families, whose homes have been destroyed by floods, are receiving aid and housing from policewomen and the Gift of the Givers.

According to Limpopo police, the families lost everything when their houses were washed away two months ago.

Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, says that the families received blankets, clothes and food parcels from the South African Police Service Women's Network.

Meanwhile, the Gift of the Givers was building two-roomed ‘Zozo’ huts for each family and these are expected to be completed on 16 May 2012.

The Department of Human Settlements in Limpopo says that a total of 220 families have been affected by this week's floods in Maruleng.

The department spokesperson, Tseng Diale, says that according to a preliminary assessment, 101 families are in need of immediate shelter and tents are being provided for them.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Health, Kenny Mathivha, says the Mopani district - encompassing Baphalaborwa, Giyani, Letaba, Maruleng, and Tzaneen municipalities - was hardest hit by the flood.