Maputo, Feb. 18, 2026 (Lusa) - The total number of deaths in the current rainy season in Mozambique has risen to 226, with more than 860,000 people affected since October, according to an update released on Wednesday by the disaster management institute.

According to information from the database of the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), to which Lusa had access and which was updated at around 2:32 p.m. (12:32 Lisbon time), 861,608 people have been affected, corresponding to 199,184 families, with 12 missing and 321 injured. This toll accounts for three more deaths than Tuesday's update.

The January floods alone caused at least 27 deaths - affecting 724,131 people - and the passage of Cyclone Gezani in Inhambane on 13 and 14 February led to the deaths of another five people, according to updated INGD data on the rainy season.

In addition, a total of 14,568 houses were partially destroyed, 5,845 were completely destroyed and another 183,812 were flooded during the current rainy season.

A total of 272 health facilities, 76 places of worship and 677 schools were affected in just over four and a half months.

INGD data also indicate that 554,805 hectares of agricultural land were affected during this period, 287,825 hectares of which were reported as lost, affecting 365,155 farmers. In addition, 530,998 animals died, including cattle, goats and poultry, and 6,799 kilometres of roads, 36 bridges and 123 aqueducts were affected.

Since October, the Mozambican disaster management institute has activated 149 accommodation centres, which have housed 113,478 people, of which 43 are still active, with at least 34,278 people.

LN/AYLS // AYLS

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