Maputo - Heavy rain in Mozambique could affect about 1.3 million people if it causes floods similar to those a decade ago that claimed around 700 lives, authorities said on Friday.
"People are refusing to abandon risky areas," Noticias newspaper quoted the National Disaster Management Institute (INGC), adding that people were reluctant to abandon their fields and livestock in the risk areas around the Zambezi River Basin.
"Sometimes they ask 'If I go out (of the danger zone) what will I eat? If I'm given something to eat it will be for a few days and I will lose the agriculture season and how will I live the next nine months?'," INGC delegate Joao Zamissa said.
The heavy rains, accompanied by lightning, have forced discharge levels to be raised at the Cahora Bassa dam over the last week.
Posted by Earth Times Staff
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