Thousands of Mozambicans living near main rivers have been urged to leave their homes, as flooding worsens after a month of heavy rain.
Mozambique's army has been ordered to evict some 2,500 people who refuse to leave their homes despite the floods.
The situation was likely to reach alarming proportions, the government said in a statement.
Prime Minister Luisa Diogo said the floods could be worse than those of 2000 and 2001 but she said the country was now better prepared.
"The possibility of an emergency is still there," she said.
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'
'Emergency'
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.
The BBC's Jose Tembe in the capital, Maputo, says people want to stay to protect their homes, crops and animals.
Mozambique's National Disasters Management Institute director Paulo Zucula says some 46,500 could be affected.
Some feel that the flooding is not yet serious enough to warrant moving, he says.
He said some of those affected have defied government orders by not evacuating the area.
But Ms Diogo said the situation was likely to get worse.
The BBC's Jose Tembe in the capital, Maputo, says rescue operations are only due to start in the Zambezi Valley next Tuesday.
"The possibility of an emergency is still there. But the government is prepared to face the situation," she told the Reuters news agency.
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 situation is worst 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 people could be affected.
Some are already living in temporary accommodation centres.
Rescue operations are due to start in the Zambezi Valley next Tuesday.
The relief agency has set up an operations centre in the central town of 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.
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