Rescue efforts intensified yesterday in southern African states battered by the worst storms in half a century, with Mozambique facing new floods and South Africa preparing for a huge influx of refugees.
A handful of helicopter pilots flying constant missions have airlifted hundreds of people to safety in the flood-stricken centre and south of Mozambique. But thousands remain trapped in trees, on rooftops and on power pylons after new floodwaves roared down the Limpopo River into the southern Gaza Province and the Save River into neighbouring Inhambane Province.
Pilots said many bodies could be seen floating in the huge lakes created by the flood waters, while marooned survivors signalled that they were starving to passing aircraft which were either already full or unable to land.
The bloated carcasses of cattle and goats, through which rural Mozambicans measure their wealth, dotted a watery landscape battered by month-long storms and last week's Cyclone Eline.
At least 335 people have been killed in Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana by the floods, official figures show. The full human and economic scale of the disaster cannot yet be estimated in countries where communications have been cut, with roads, bridges, telephone and power lines destroyed.
The governor of Mozambique's Gaza province, Mr Eugenio Numaio, said yesterday that floodwaters from the Limpopo River were still rising in the provincial capital Xai-Xai, flooding the commercial zone.
"Life has completely stopped because the most important part of the city - with the banks, shops and provincial offices - in completely inundated," Mr Numaio said.
The city is without electricity as the power station is submerged.
Mr Numaio said that the important agricultural centre of Chokwe, higher up the Limpopo, "is totally flooded. No one can live there."
The floodwave sweeping down the Limpopo from South Africa hit the Chokwe area before dawn on Sunday, causing an unknown number of casualties and sending thousands fleeing to higher ground.
Aid agencies have appealed for more air transport, saying that aircraft which were being used to deliver food to stranded survivors had now been diverted to rescue missions again after the new flooding.
South Africa has provided four helicopters for operations in Mozambique, while Malawi has sent two. Britain on Sunday decided to give about a million dollars to help pay to keep the flights going.
Along with those operated by the Mozambican air force, reporters say there are fewer than 10 helicopters available to rescue and provide relief to hundreds of thousands of people.
In South Africa, with flood waters in the Northern Province beginning to subside, the Home Affairs department said the country would appeal to international agencies for assistance in coping with an expected influx of refugees from Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
In Zimbabwe, more rain fell overnight in flood-hit areas in the east of the country, hampering efforts to rescue trapped villagers and supply food to the hungry, a relief official said yesterday.
"We understand there are still people trapped in remote areas in the east and there is a critical shortage of food in many areas," said Mr David Hasluck, director of the Commercial Farmers' Union, which is helping government relief efforts.
He said two air force helicopters were carrying out rescue and supply operations in Manicaland province on the border with Mozambique, while farmers were also using their own light aircraft.
--(AFP)
In response to the deteriorating situation in Mozambique, Concern yesterday announced it was increasing its allocation of funding to £500,000. Donations can be made to 1850 410510. Ms Liz O'Donnell, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, yesterday announced additional Irish emergency funding of £240,000 for flood relief, in addition to £160,000 allocated last week.