South Africa has despatched a crew to assist with rescue efforts after an area politician was swept away by floodwaters whereas visiting neighbouring Mozambique.
Andile Mngwevu, a councillor within the Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg, and 4 others have been in Mozambique’s Gaza province when their automotive was caught in a flood, officers say.
Solely one of many passengers has been accounted for – the “standing and whereabouts of the opposite occupants stay unconfirmed”, the municipality stated in an announcement.
Flooding has devastated components of each international locations and resulted in Mozambican President Daniel Chapo cancelling his journey to the World Financial Discussion board in Davos.
His South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, confirmed that two helicopters had been deployed to assist Mozambique “for numerous days till their scenario subsides”.
Weeks of flooding in Mozambique have broken infrastructure and killed greater than 100 folks. In line with a United Nations Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report, 400,000 folks have been affected.
In South Africa, greater than 30 folks have died in simply two provinces since November, in keeping with the federal government.
Mozambique has declared a crimson alert within the wake of the devastating floods whereas South Africa has introduced a nationwide catastrophe.
The wet season has begun in central and northern Mozambique, with additional heavy rain forecast throughout giant components of the nation, which is coming into its annual cyclone season.