last update 22 January 2026
- Extensive flooding continues across large parts of Mozambique, with more than half a million people affected and the number still rising as floodwaters persist and dams release water to avoid breaches.
- UNICEF estimates that nearly 600,000 people have been affected by the flooding so far; this total may rise further in the coming days as assessments continue.
- Southern and central provinces — notably Gaza, Maputo, and Sofala — remain the hardest hit, with entire communities inundated and tens of thousands sheltering in emergency accommodations.
- Damage to infrastructure is widespread, including thousands of kilometres of roads destroyed or rendered impassable, complicating access for relief operations and essential supplies.
- Mozambique is entering its annual cyclone season, which raises the risk of further severe weather even as current floodwaters remain high.
- A tropical depression (Ewetse) is also being monitored in the region, with potential to generate additional rain and exacerbate flooding in already vulnerable coastal and inland areas.
ast update 21 January 2026
- Mozambique has declared a nationwide red alert and high-priority response, with authorities and international agencies coordinating relief efforts amid difficult conditions.
- Flooding remains most severe in the southern and central provinces including Gaza, Maputo, Sofala and parts of Inhambane and Manica. Roads, key transport links, and health infrastructure have suffered widespread damage, limiting mobility and access to aid.
- Continued heavy rains and flooding have damaged or overtopped critical infrastructure — including bridges, local access roads and transport links — which challenges access to certain destinations and may delay travel plans.
- Severe flooding has cut sections of Mozambique’s main north-south highway (EN1), rendering key roads impassable in southern parts of the country and complicating overland travel between major cities and tourist regions.
- The death toll in the region continues to rise, with at least 151 confirmed fatalities reported across affected areas as emergency services intensify search and rescue operations.
- Estimates now indicate that more than 620,000 people have been directly affected by the floods, with over 72,000 homes inundated and extensive damage to roads, bridges and health facilities.
- Outlook: The flooding continues to represent a significant disruption to daily life and logistics in Mozambique, and while the standard tourism infrastructure and services are not fully suspended country-wide, localized impacts on accommodation, transport and excursions are substantial and evolving.
last update 20 January 2026
- Recent reports indicate that extreme flooding has displaced more than 300,000 people in Gaza Province alone, with approximately 40 percent of the province submerged under floodwaters following weeks of torrential rain. Tens of thousands of people are in temporary shelters in schools, churches, and other facilities.
- Weather services and humanitarian operators warn that rains have not fully abated, and river basins remain at or above critical levels, keeping the risk of additional flooding and displacement high in the coming days.
- Road infrastructure such as the N1 (national north-south road) in Sofala has been submerged or cut off in areas due to overflowing rivers.
last update 19 January 2026
- Over 200,000 people in Mozambique have been affected by flooding and associated disruptions, including displacement, loss of homes, and threats to food security.
- The continuing rainy season has overwhelmed rivers and drainage systems in central and southern provinces, sustaining high flood risk levels for low-lying communities.
- Heavy rainfall has disrupted critical services in parts of the south:
- Maputo National Park has temporarily suspended safari operations because internal roads are impassable and water levels in key lagoons have risen, compromising safety.
- Outlook: Meteorological forecasts and seasonal patterns indicate that heavy rainfall is expected to continue into late January and beyond, with ongoing flood risk particularly in southern and central Mozambique.
Mozambique is facing widespread disruption following persistent heavy rainfall and flooding across several regions, with significant humanitarian, economic and tourism-related consequences. The situation, unfolding during the peak of the 2025/26 rainy season, highlights the country’s ongoing vulnerability to extreme weather events and climate-related risks.
Widespread flooding and humanitarian impact
Prolonged and intense rainfall has led to severe flooding in central and southern Mozambique, particularly along major river systems such as the Limpopo, Incomati and Maputo basins. Low-lying communities have been inundated, resulting in loss of life, displacement of thousands of residents, and damage to homes, schools, health facilities and essential infrastructure.
Emergency services and disaster-management authorities remain on high alert as river levels continue to fluctuate. Flooding has also increased the risk of water-borne diseases, disrupted access to clean drinking water, and placed additional strain on already vulnerable rural communities.
At least 103 people have died and 173,000 have been affected since the start of the rainy season in Mozambique, with a total of 1,160 houses destroyed and over 4,000 partially flooded, the government reported on 16 January 2026.
The Instituto Nacional de Gestão e Redução do Risco de Desastres (INGD), a government institution responsible for coordinating the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) actions in Mozambique, issued a red alert on 16 Januay 2026, valid for the entire country. "Red alert" represents the highest level of national warning in Mozambique. It indicates that:
- Severe and potentially life-threatening conditions are present or imminent
- The risk of major flooding, infrastructure damage, displacement and loss of life is high
- Immediate preparedness and response measures are required from authorities, communities, and emergency services
Infrastructure damage and economic disruption
Floodwaters have damaged roads, bridges and transport corridors, isolating some areas and complicating relief efforts. These disruptions have affected supply chains, agricultural production and local commerce at a critical time of the year.
Large areas of farmland have been submerged, destroying crops and impacting food security. The combined effect of infrastructure damage and agricultural losses is expected to place further pressure on Mozambique's economic recovery and public finances in the months ahead.
Impact on the tourism industry
Mozambique's tourism sector, which had shown signs of steady recovery, is now facing renewed challenges as a result of the flooding:
Despite strong visitor numbers during the recent festive period, the current situation introduces uncertainty for the remainder of the summer travel season and into early autumn.
Outlook and recovery
Authorities in Mozambique have warned that further heavy rainfall remains possible as the rainy season continues. Emergency preparedness measures are in place, but the scale of the flooding underscores the need for long-term investment in resilient infrastructure, improved drainage systems and early-warning mechanisms.
For the tourism industry in Mozambique, recovery will depend on the restoration of transport links, clear communication with travellers, and coordinated efforts between government, park authorities and private operators. Strengthening climate resilience will be critical to safeguarding the country's tourism assets and supporting sustainable growth in the future.
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