Mozambique experienced catastrophic flooding in 2000 due to continuous heavy rainfall over 5 weeks that was exacerbated by a hurricane, totaling over 1,163mm of rain compared to the average of 177mm. The floods killed many thousands of people, left 1 million homeless, and caused huge economic losses. Disease and malnutrition spread due to a lack of clean water, food, and medical supplies after infrastructure like bridges and roads were destroyed. Flood risk is managed through limited monitoring, but the country cannot afford major prevention schemes due to poverty. International aid helped rescue and supply refugee camps, though conditions remained poor.

1. Mozambique Floods 2000
Case study to highlight the physical and
human causes of the flood and how the risk
and effects of flooding are managed in an
LEDC. You may have to compare this to the
Mississippi flood.

2. Location:
• Mozambique is
located on the south-
east coast of Africa. It
is a relatively poor
and undeveloped
country

3. Physical & Human causes of the flood
Physical Causes Human Causes
Continuous heavy rain for more than 5 Destruction of the grasslands in the high
weeks in Jan/Feb. plateaus of southern Africa which
normally act to soak up rainfall and
A total of 1163mm fell compared to an release it slowly into the rivers.
average of 177mm!
Draining of the wetlands along the rivers
In late Feb hurricane Eline struck bringing for farming – these marshy areas normally
more torrential rain. store floodwaters.
Huge growth of urban areas in South
Africa creating lots of impermeable areas.

4. Impacts of the flood
• Many 1000s died, 1 million homeless, huge
loss of personal possessions and livelihoods.
• Disease and malnutrition were common in the
months after the flood due to a lack of
medical supplies, clean water and food.
• The few bridges and roads that were in the
country were washed away – economic and
social problems.

5. How is the flood risk managed?
Reduce flood risk Manage effects
River flow monitoring stations funded by International aid from charities like the
the EU were built to give people warning Red Cross and MEDC governments.
about the floods, but the size of the
floods washed these away so no warning US and UK army helped to rescue people
was given to people. in helicopters.
There is no major flood prevention Huge refugee camps were set up for the
scheme or hard engineering in place homeless, but conditions in camps were
because Mozambique can not afford it poor – no sanitation, little food and lack
of medical supplies etc
Poor infrastructure (lack of roads etc)
made it difficult to transport supplies.