Mozambique’s death toll from weeks of torrential rains and flooding rose to at least 112 on Wednesday as officials warned of possible disease outbreaks in overcrowded shelters housing tens of thousands of displaced people.

The National Disasters Management Institute (INGD) said more than 645,000 people have been affected since the start of the rainy season, with 91,310 currently sheltering in 68 active accommodation centres.

A further 99 people have been injured and thousands of homes, classrooms and health units have been damaged or destroyed.

INGD deputy chairperson Gabriel Monteiro said the scale of rainfall – up to 250 millimetres in 24 hours – overwhelmed infrastructure and exceeded forecasts.

He blamed a tropical depression from the Indian Ocean and water surges from neighboring countries’ dam releases for worsening the crisis.

More than 3,000 kilometres of roads are impassable, and the start of the school year may be delayed in flood-hit provinces.

Search and rescue operations continue, with helicopters and boats deployed to reach stranded victims.

President Daniel Chapo said the government’s priority remained saving lives but warned of cholera and malaria risks in crowded shelters.

“Where there are a lot of people in the same place, there can be outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as malaria and cholera,” he said.

Officials are seeking about US$103 million to support 100,000 affected households, with total humanitarian needs estimated at 14 billion meticais.