The rise in the flow of the Incomáti River due to the opening of floodgates in the main dams in Mozambique's neighboring countries has caused the destruction of around 800 hectares of various crops in the Manhiça district.

According to the Manhiça district administrator, the crops destroyed include maize, cassava, beans and potatoes, damage that will directly affect at least 95 farming families in that district of Maputo province.

"We have been advising the population to harvest those crops that may still be in condition and we have also been advising people to leave areas considered to be at risk," said Manhiça district administrator Maria Fernanda, quoted on Sunday by Rádio Moçambique.

Last week, the National Directorate for Water Resources Management (DNGRH) warned of a rise in the flow of the Incomáti, Maputo and Umbeluzi rivers (in the south) due to discharges in South Africa and Essuatíni, countries that are "100% from the storage level in the large dams".

Mozambique's National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD) has deployed 10 boats in Maputo province to deal with a possible rise in the flow of the three rivers.