MAPUTO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Five people died and four others are reported missing as a result of intensive rainfall and floods in the provinces of Zambezia and Tete in central Mozambique, national radio reported on Saturday.
More than 1,400 houses were destroyed and the preliminary number of displaced families rose to 2,000, according to the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC).
"Some of the victims were surprised and buried by the walls of their houses that collapsed on them, and others were washed away by floods as they sought refuge," said Horacio Zacarias, INGC delegate in Zambezia, speaking to local media.
"The situation is dramatic, we will stay on the ground to provide all possible assistance," said Horacio Zacarias, who ensured that food aid, tents and other means of salvation are being sent to affected places.
Images displayed by national television TVM show a dire picture in the two provinces, with houses and business centers completely submerged and people on their roofs crying for help.
