More than 114 people have died in Mozambique, since the start of the rains in October last year.
The South African Air Force’s rotary wing was deployed to support Flood Disaster Relief Operations in that country, forming part of Operation CHARIOT.
Worst affected areas are Southern and Central Provinces, including Maputo, Gaza and Zambezia.
Major Lebogang Phakathi, SA Air Force Corporate Communication Officer, said in a statement, “the main mission of the SAAF is to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and provide humanitarian assistance in response to flood related disaster in the affected Southern and Central parts of Mozambique.”
On Tuesday, this week, one (1) Oryx, a medium-lift helicopter and two (2) A109 Augusta light utility helicopters took to the air, conducting an aerial reconnaissance mission to assess the extent of the damage and locate stranded civilians in the Palmeira area, in the Maputo Province.
More than 224 individuals were evacuated from flooded areas to safety, as a result.
A team from the University of Johannesburg’s Rescue Centre, will also be joining SA and international teams.
Connor Hartnady, Acting Manager, said “the team landed in Maputo this morning and are now preparing coordination with their sub-task teams. Due to the vast area that will be covered during the rescue operation, majority of it will be covered by helicopter hoisting. Over half a million people are affected by severe floods, leaving many stranded on roof tops across settlements, waiting for help to arrive.”
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reported that road infrastructure and healthcare facilities have seen widespread damage, leaving citizens dependent on external humanitarian relief.
Hartnady is with UJ Rescue Lecturer, Xavier Millar; Starlite Aviation Medical Operations Manager, Dr Dagmar Muhlbauer; Travis Trower Lecturer at Nelson Mandela University; Francios Pretorius from South Africa Police Services: Search and Rescue and Brad Hatfield from Ethekweni Fire and Rescue Services.
Picture of civilians from the Palmeira area were successfully rescued by an Oryx helicopter, with support from a local Mozambican diver, Johanna Magrietha Muller.