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Urgent Mozambique flood warning Urgent Mozambique flood warning
(30 minutes later)
Thousands of Mozambicans living near main rivers have been urged to leave their homes, as flooding worsens after a month of heavy rain.Thousands of Mozambicans living near main rivers have been urged to leave their homes, as flooding worsens after a month of heavy rain.
The situation was likely to reach alarming proportions, the government said in a statement.The situation was likely to reach alarming proportions, the government said in a statement.
Strong winds, heavy rains and flooding have so far claimed at least 29 lives, destroyed more than 4,600 houses, 100 classrooms and four health centres.Strong winds, heavy rains and flooding have so far claimed at least 29 lives, destroyed more than 4,600 houses, 100 classrooms and four health centres.
Some 700 people died in devastating floods in Mozambique in 2000 and 2001.Some 700 people died in devastating floods in Mozambique in 2000 and 2001.
'Orders defied''Orders defied'
Mozambique's National Disasters Management Institute director Paulo Zucula says some 46,500 could be affected by the rising waters. According to the government statement, the situation is getting worse in the country's central region where the Zambezi River and its tributaries - the Shire and Revubue - have become swollen with surging waters from neighbouring Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Mozambique's National Disasters Management Institute director Paulo Zucula says some 46,500 could be affected.
He said some of those affected have defied government orders by not evacuating the area.He said some of those affected have defied government orders by not evacuating the area.
The BBC's Jose Tembe in the capital, Maputo, says rescue operations are only due to start in the Zambezi Valley next Tuesday.The BBC's Jose Tembe in the capital, Maputo, says rescue operations are only due to start in the Zambezi Valley next Tuesday.
The relief agency has set up an operations centre in Caia and has boats and helicopters on hand to rescue anyone trapped by the rising waters.The relief agency has set up an operations centre in Caia and has boats and helicopters on hand to rescue anyone trapped by the rising waters.
Assistance is also available from naval units of the Mozambican armed forces.Assistance is also available from naval units of the Mozambican armed forces.
The agency had made contingency plans for dealing with serious flooding this rainy season, and had put aside tents, blankets, chlorine for purifying drinking water, and other relief goods at key positions.The agency had made contingency plans for dealing with serious flooding this rainy season, and had put aside tents, blankets, chlorine for purifying drinking water, and other relief goods at key positions.
But these are only enough until the end of this month, our reporter says.But these are only enough until the end of this month, our reporter says.