Devastating Floods in Mozambique Lead to Mass Rescues and Displacement

Mon Feb 02 2026 17:33:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In Mozambique, severe floods, described as the worst in a generation, have inundated towns and forced thousands to evacuate. Rescue efforts are underway with support from international teams.

Mozambique is facing unprecedented flooding after weeks of heavy rain, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands and the devastating impact on local agriculture. International aid teams have stepped in to assist in rescue missions as many residents remain stranded, clinging to trees or rooftops. The floods have affected over 650,000 people and led to school closures and food shortages in temporary shelters.

Tens of thousands of people in Mozambique are being rescued as rising waters continue to devastate the southern African nation - the worst flooding in a generation.

Teams from Brazil, South Africa and the UK have been helping with life-saving rescue operations.

For me, this is the first time I have experienced a calamity of this magnitude. Elders say a similar disaster took place in the 1990s, 24-year-old mechanic Tomaz Antonio Mlau says.

Mlau and his family, living near Marracuene, woke to find their house inundated after the Inkomati River burst its banks. They had to abandon their belongings, taking only a change of clothes to safety.

Many of the flood victims are now sheltering in makeshift centers including schools and churches, with reports of food shortages affecting the displaced.

While the rains subsided temporarily, worries lingered about further water releases from a dam in South Africa, which might exacerbate the flooding in Mozambique.

The National Institute for Disaster Risk Management reported that over 642,122 people have been affected since January 7, with 12 deaths confirmed so far.

With main roads submerged, access to aid and supplies has become increasingly difficult, causing prices for food and essentials to skyrocket. Local leaders are calling for immediate relief assistance as the situation develops.