"The floods took place in three river basins ... and water levels will continue to rise till mid-February. We therefore think that these floods will be worse that those of 2000," INGC director Paulo Zucula told a news conference.

In 2000-2001, torrential rains swept through the former Portuguese colony still undergoing reconstruction after a long period of civil war (1976-1992). The floods claimed more than 700 lives and caused 800 million dollars in damages.

Since late November when the raining season started, the heavy downpour has led to a sharp rise in the levels of rivers Zambezi, Pongue, Buzi and Save in central and southern parts of the country.

The floods swept away thousands of houses while material loss could be very heavy. No figure has yet been provided.

The INGC expressed hope of contain human losses. The current death toll is about 10.

More than 70,000 people have been resettled, particularly in schools and other public buildings. Overall, the southern African country, which declared a red alert last January 3, is gearing up to evacuate more than 200,000 people.

"Even if the situation is already worrisome, the government, at the moment, has no intention of appealing for international aid," Minister of Territorial Administration Lucas Chomera told AFP.

The floods have also affected neighbouring Zimbabwe and Zambia, where tens of thousands of people have been evacuated.

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