Mozambique flooding situation worsens

The flooding situation in Mozambique is worsening, according to Mozambique's top disaster official.

Paulo Zucula told Reuters that a number of the evacuation centres cannot now be accessed by road and supplies are being airlifted with just one UN helicopter.

Some 4,000 people could lose their lives if they do not receive drinking water and food soon, Mr Zucula said.

"They are starving and some diseases such as malaria and cholera are looming," he added.

On Monday, Mozambique's national disaster agency said that the worst may be yet to come as the rainy season draws on.

Severe flooding in the Zambezi Valley, which began in December, has forced more than 120,000 people from their homes and caused around 40 deaths.

Mozambique's Red Cross has appealed for $5 million (£2.5 million) in food assistance.

Disaster officials are currently trying to control the flood waters by regulating discharge from the country's Cahora Bassa Hydro-Electric dam ? although this is becoming increasingly difficult.

Around 700 people died and 500,000 were displaced in severe flooding in 2000 and 2001, according to reported estimates.