Benguela: Heavy rains in Benguela province have left at least 14 people dead, ten injured, and two missing since Saturday night. An official source told ANGOP that these figures are currently a provisional assessment as the situation develops across several municipalities.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the Civil Protection Service and Fire Department spokesman, David Candele, reported that 46 houses collapsed, 19 were damaged, and several roads and neighborhoods experienced flooding.
In Lobito, two citizens lost their lives, one was injured, and another is missing. Additionally, three houses collapsed and two were damaged. In Baa Farta, one house collapsed and another was damaged, while in Cubal, four injuries and one house collapse were reported. Benguela saw 40 houses collapse and 15 more sustained damage.
The municipality of Navegantes recorded two deaths and widespread flooding, particularly in the Esperan§a and Bela Vista Baixa neighborhoods, due to an overflowing ditch. In Catumbela, ten fatalities and five injuries were reported, along with two collapsed houses.
An immobilized minibus belonging to a private beer company, carrying eight passengers, was safely repositioned by the fire brigade after it was stuck in a ditch.
The spokesperson also noted that in the municipality of Caimbambo, road traffic is banned up to Cubal on EN 260 due to significant damage to 10 pillars supporting a bridge, causing cracks and disconnection.
Along the coastal strip, rainwater along nearly 30 kilometers of BR 100 in the Lobito/Benguela section forced drivers to reduce speed to below 40 kilometers per hour in both directions due to flooding, mainly caused by inadequate sewage systems.
In some areas, vehicles were forced to travel in the wrong direction, and pedestrians had to walk in single file, some barefoot, due to a shortage of taxis. Meanwhile, children were seen playing in flooded areas, unaware of the risks.
Weather forecasts indicate continued rain throughout Sunday in various parts of Benguela province.
