The waters have risen, bringing more than just floods to southern Mozambique. In a shocking turn of events, crocodiles are now hunting in the flooded streets of towns like Xai-Xai, the capital of Gaza province.
Since late December 2025, relentless rain has battered the region, causing the Limpopo and Incomati rivers to overflow. Over 600,000 people have been displaced, and as homes are submerged, the fear of crocodile attacks has become a harsh reality. Authorities are warning residents to stay vigilant, as these predators search for food in the murky floodwaters.
A Desperate Situation
The impact of this disaster is severe. Satellite images from NASA illustrate a stark transformation—farmland has become a vast sea. The World Health Organization (WHO) is sounding alarms about potential cholera outbreaks as sewage systems fail under the pressure.
- Casualties: At least 12 people have been confirmed dead, but many remote areas are still unaccounted for.
- Infrastructure Damage: The main highway connecting Maputo has been cut off, hampering relief efforts and choking off trade.
- Survivor Stories: One local expressed, “We are sleeping on rooftops. If the water doesn’t get you, the animals might.”
The Reality of Climate Change
This crisis highlights a troubling trend in southern Africa—a cycle of extreme weather, oscillating between droughts and devastating floods. According to a recent study from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), regions like Mozambique are likely to face increasingly unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change.
As Mozambique seeks international aid, it raises an urgent question for the Southern African Development Community (SADC): How can we adapt and build resilience in a landscape that seems to be turning against us?
While immediate rescue efforts are underway, the long-term recovery will be complex. The physical destruction will leave lasting scars, but the psychological impact on communities may be even deeper.
As the world watches, it’s vital to remember that this isn’t just a short-term disaster; it is a glimpse into a future that many areas may soon face unless action is taken.
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