Good afternoon. The government, through the National Roads Agency, has moved speedily to repair the roof of an aqueduct supporting the N380 highway, which collapsed for a second time in two weeks at the weekend, under heavy rain (see below).
The original repair work was only ever meant to be temporary, as is the second repair job, but the bridge has been fitted with additional drainage channels, which should reduce the likelihood of flooding in future. Although it was only a minor crossing, it was important as the N380 links northern districts in Cabo Delgado province to the rest of the country. Work is also to get underway soon on vital repairs to the N2, which provides an alternative route to South Africa via Eswatini and part of which is ruined by huge craters (see below).
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With the rainy season in full swing, and heavier-than-usual rain forecast for Mozambique’s northern provinces (see below), we can unfortunately expect more roads and bridges to get damaged, requiring more repair. The worst of it is likely to come when cyclones hit Mozambique, most likely in March, encouraging flooding.
