CAPE TOWN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) has deployed a search and rescue team to assist Mozambique, as severe flooding continues to affect large parts of the country following prolonged heavy rainfall.
"The SANDF has on Sunday, Jan. 18, deployed a search and rescue team consisting of an Oryx helicopter of the South African Air Force to assist in the search operation in Mozambique due to severe inclement weather," the SANDF said in a statement issued on Sunday.
The SANDF confirmed that the aircraft and an advance team landed safely in Maputo, Mozambique's capital, and will operate in cooperation with Mozambique's emergency rescue services and disaster management authorities as part of Operation Chariot.
"More air assets are scheduled to be deployed from South Africa to assist in the rescue mission," it added.
Since the start of the rainy season in December 2025, at least 103 people have died and about 173,000 people have been affected by flooding across Mozambique. The government has declared a red alert as several regions remain at risk from rising water levels.
The worsening situation also prompted Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo to cancel his planned trip to Davos, Switzerland, where he was scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum this week. ■
