30 Jan 2013

Deadly flooding in Mozambique

9:49 am on 30 January 2013

Mozambique's military has been called in to help as severe flooding that has killed 48 people is predicted to spread to the country's central and northern regions.

The United Nations says about 250,000 people have been affected by the floods and 146,000 are in temporary shelters.

The armed forces have begun helping with clean-up operations in the devastated southern town of Chokwe which has borne the brunt of the flooding caused by heavy rains, AFP reports.

Soldiers have also been involved in rescue efforts and the navy has ferried people by boat to reach areas isolated by flooding.

At least 48 people have died, some electrocuted by severed power lines trailing in the water, some crushed by collapsed buildings and some attacked by crocodiles.

Water levels have begun to recede in the south, but the situation remains critical, and the centre and north of Mozambique are expected to be hit by fresh rain.