Death toll in Mozambican floods rises to 117

The death toll in the floods in the central and northern regions of Mozambique now stands at 117 people, according to Wednesday's communique from the National Disasters Management Institute (INGC).

The INGC said that until Jan. 25, more than 200,000 people have been affected by the disaster in central and northern provinces.

According to the communique, 1,400 classrooms were destroyed, thus affecting 78,000 students in the two regions of the country.

The communique goes on to reveal that "in the agricultural sector, 33,700 hectares of planted land are under water." The downpours also hampered roads and bridges.

Local governments are distributing plots to the flood victims so that they can build new ones in safer areas. 2,000 plots have already been given out to the needy people.

The state Mozambican Television (TVM) on Tuesday night reported that 18 people were missing in Zambezia. According to the station, around 10 people had lived on tree tops for a week without food, until they were rescued by a helicopter in the same province. Endi