Mozambique leader Chapo cancels Davos trip as dozens killed in floods

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo cancelled a trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos after floods in the southern African nation killed dozens of people and left tens of thousands of houses damaged or destroyed.

About half a million Mozambicans have been impacted by the flooding from heavy rains that began last month, according to the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction, or INGD, which reported 105 weather-related deaths.

A large swathe of Mozambique and neighbouring South Africa, which at the weekend declared flooding there a national disaster, had record rainfall in the January 11-15 period, according to preliminary data from the Climate Hazards Center of University of California, Santa Barbara.

Mozambique’s weather service issued a fresh warning for heavy rains throughout Monday for affected areas. Parts of the region had already experienced record rainfall in the weeks preceding the deluge.

“The situation entails substantial evacuation needs, heightened risks to health facilities and schools, and potential damage to critical infrastructure,” the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement. “Response capacity is being stretched as humanitarian needs continue to escalate.”

Chapo flew over the most-affected parts of the southeast African nation at the weekend, and posted a video of a dramatic helicopter rescue of a group of people trapped on the roof of a mini-bus almost completely submerged by floodwaters. Helicopters also evacuated people from tree-tops and roofs, with visuals from the INGD showing entire towns submerged in water.

In South Africa, water levels in at least one of the camps in the iconic Kruger Park last week exceeded those of the previous worst flooding in 2000. South Africa’s northeastern rivers all drain in Mozambique, exacerbating the flooding there. The wildlife reserve said it would partially reopen to visitors on Monday as floodwaters receded.

© 2026 Bloomberg

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