Mozambique: Floods threaten hundreds of thousands of people

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Floods in Mozambique, 2007-Photo-01

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EuroNews - No Comment - Mozambique

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Hundreds of thousands of Mozambicans are threatened by floods, which are caused by heavy rainfall. According to the authorities, the rain season has been the worst in many decades.

As a result, the government of the country is southern Africa has urged people to forced abandon their homes immediately. So far, about 2000 residents of the coastal province of Inhambane, a popular tourist destination, have answered to this floodwarning that aims to prevent a repetition of history.

In the first weeks of 2008, over hundred thousand Mozambicans lost their homes and possessions when heavy floods hit the country.

Over the past weeks, rainfall- the heaviest in many decades - has caused damage to infrastructure such as bridges and raods, property and crops. There are no signs for the rain to cease anytime soon.

It is said that vaious vilages and settlements have been cut off from the rest of the country Some villages have been cut off from the rest of the country. The situation is particularly bad in  and Mussurize, which has been hit by a cholera epidemic.

Mozambique has been subjected to floods for years. Besides last year's flooding, one of the heaviest episodes of excisive rainfall in 2000 after a cyclone struck the country. About 800 people died between Frebruary and March 2000, 1.400 km² of arable land was affected and 20,000 head of cattle were lost. It was the worst flood in the Mozambique in half a century.