ANALYSIS OF RISK AREAS FOR FLOODS IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE POST OF DOMBE, DISTRICT OF SUSSUNDENGA, CENTRAL REGION OF MOZAMBIQUE

Abstract

FFloods are currently one of the largest and most worrying natural disasters worldwide. This study aimed to analyze the areas at risk to floods in the administrative post of Dombe, different from Sussundenga, central region of Mozambique. Direct observation, bibliographic research and multi-criteria analysis were the main methods used. In the multi-criteria analysis, the following modeling criteria were used: relief, slope, distance from rivers, soil types, geology and rainfall. From the study carried out it was found that 433.9 km2, that is, around 20.5% of the study area was affected by the 2019 floods, where the most affected areas are located along the Lucite and Mussapa small rivers, in the central region from Mozambique. The areas of very high and high risk of flooding occur essentially along the Mussapa, Lucite, Muvumodzi and Mucutuco rivers. Areas at high risk for flooding are those that most put the lives of families, homes and other socioeconomic infrastructure at risk. For the prevention and mitigation of floods, it is proposed to promote structural and non-structural measures. The proposed structural measures essentially include the construction of multi-use dams. Carrying out awareness and community education campaigns, installing an early warning system, strengthening institutional capacity for evacuation and assistance to victims. And it is suggested that a participatory and integrated plan for preventing and adapting to floods and floods be drawn up.