Tens of thousands of people in Mozambique are being rescued as rising waters continue to devastate the southern African nation - the worst flooding in a generation.
Teams from Brazil, South Africa and the UK have been helping with life-saving rescue operations.
For me, this is the first time I have experienced a calamity of this magnitude. Elders say a similar disaster took place in the 1990s, 24-year-old mechanic Tomaz Antonio Mlau says.
Mlau and his family, who live near Marracuene - a town 30km (19 miles) north of the capital, Maputo - woke up to find their house inundated after the Inkomati River burst its banks.
When a rescue boat came a few hours afterwards, we did not hesitate to board it and come to safety in Marracuene town, he said, adding they had to abandon all their belongings and only managed to bring a change of clothes.
Many of those gathered at Gwazamutini Secondary School are farmers from the low-lying areas with livestock and rice fields.
We lost everything in the floodwaters, including houses, TV sets, fridges, clothing and livestock - cattle, goats and pigs. Our farms are under water. I am a farmer. I grow quality rice, 67-year-old Francisco Fernando Chivindzi shared.
In total 125 people have died in Mozambique since the rainy season began in October. Mayor Sidat fears the situation is likely to worsen due to heavy rain in neighboring South Africa, which could lead to increased flooding from the Inkomati River.
For those at shelters in Marracuene, food is a continuing challenge, with inadequate supplies leading to desperate situations for families. As rescue efforts continue, residents express gratitude to volunteers and urge others to prioritize safety over possessions.
