- Mozambique’s National Directorate for Water Resources Management (DNGRH) yesterday warned of a moderate flood risk in Catuane, Salamanga and Tinonganine, along the Maputo River basin, after Pongolapoort Dam in South Africa increased its discharge rate to 700 m³/s on Saturday, 8 November.
The National Directorate for Water Resources Management (DNGRH) yesterday warned of a moderate risk of flooding in the Maputo River basin after Pongolapoort Dam, also known as Jozini Dam, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, opened its sluice gates on Saturday, 8 November, raising the discharge rate to 700 cubic metres per second.
The directorate said the effects could be felt in Mozambique within 48 hours of the announcement, with the Maputo River expected to continue rising and potentially reach its peak during that period. The increased flow could worsen flooding on riverside farmland and disrupt road traffic in Catuane, Salamanga and Tinonganine, in Matutuíne district, Maputo province, southern Mozambique.
The DNGRH advised riverside communities to avoid crossing the river or entering flooded areas, particularly farmland. Where crossing is essential, it recommended that the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) organise boat crossings between the riverbanks, provided the necessary safety conditions are met.
The directorate said it would continue monitoring dam discharges and water levels in Madubula, issuing updates as the hydrological situation evolves.
