Post by : Saif Rahman

The recent flooding in Mozambique presents a new level of peril for those already grappling with survival. As rivers overflow and towns are submerged, crocodiles are emerging from their usual habitats, invading streets, homes, and evacuation sites. Authorities confirm that at least three fatalities have resulted from crocodile encounters during these floods.

Xai-Xai, the capital of Gaza province in southern Mozambique, is among the hardest-hit regions. The floodwaters have engulfed significant portions of the town, displacing thousands to higher altitudes. Local officials have cautioned residents to avoid still or slow-moving waters where crocodiles might be lurking.

A wave of heavy rains over the past month has led to overflowing rivers across southern Africa. The Limpopo River, which traverses South Africa and flows into Mozambique, has seen dramatic increases in water levels. These rising waters have enabled crocodiles to reach towns and villages that are now inundated.

Officials state that three of the 13 flood-related fatalities in Mozambique are attributed to crocodile attacks. In Gaza province, two individuals lost their lives, while a further three sustained injuries in one incident this month. In Maputo province, a man was taken and killed by a crocodile in Moamba.

Authorities suspect that some crocodiles were displaced into urban areas due to floodwaters from a nearby wildlife park in South Africa. With these circumstances, local leaders are urging residents to avoid all water pools, flooded regions, or riverbanks due to the risk of silent crocodile movements through interconnected waterways.

Alongside wildlife threats, the floods are aggravating a growing humanitarian crisis. Over 700,000 individuals are affected across Mozambique, with children constituting over half of that number. Many homes have been destroyed, as well as roads, bridges, schools, and agricultural lands.

The health situation is worsening significantly. At least 44 health facilities across Gaza and Maputo provinces have either been damaged or completely destroyed. Many families have been uprooted to temporary shelters, leaving them with limited or no access to health care services.

Health professionals are warning that those relying on continuous medication face severe risks due to disrupted healthcare services. Moreover, there are concerns regarding potential disease outbreaks like cholera, as both clean water supplies become contaminated and sanitation systems fail.

In total, over 100 individuals have died due to floods and heavy rainfalls across Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The devastation has obliterated crops, raising fears about hunger and prolonged food shortages affecting millions of smallholder farmers.

As waters begin to recede in certain regions, the danger remains significant. Authorities and humanitarian organizations stress the immediate need for support to restore health services, offer safe shelters, and safeguard communities from further casualties in this ongoing crisis.