At least 13 people have been killed by severe flooding in Mozambique over the past two weeks, authorities said on Thursday, warning that the death toll is expected to rise as floodwaters recede, according to media.
Heavy rainfall caused rivers and dams to overflow, inundating towns and affecting more than half a million people across the country. Parts of neighbouring South Africa were also hit by flooding.
Although rain eased in some areas by Thursday, large sections of the capital, Maputo, remained submerged, with water reaching the rooftops of some buildings. Flooding along a major national highway cut off the city from other parts of the country, leaving several areas inaccessible.
A senior UN official said more victims were likely to be discovered once access improves. She warned that children are expected to account for a significant proportion of those swept away or killed by the floods.
Authorities described the current situation as the worst flooding since at least 2000, when around 700 people died nationwide.
Officials said early warning systems and mandatory evacuations may have helped limit casualties this time. However, they noted that the confirmed death toll remains incomplete due to limited access to flooded areas and the fact that several regions are still underwater.