Benguela: Angolan President Joo Louren§o has authorized expenditures of approximately 356 billion kwanzas for emergency mitigation works, infrastructure recovery, and resettlement of families displaced by the floods that hit the province of Benguela in April of this year. The measure is contained in Presidential Decree No. 185/26, of May 8, which approves the opening of the emergency contracting procedure for interventions in the Cavaco, Catumbela, and Coporolo rivers, as well as in roads, bridges, and social housing.
According to Angola Press News Agency, in the decree, Joo Louren§o acknowledges that the intense and persistent rains recorded throughout the month of April exceeded the natural and urban drainage capacity, causing flash floods, large-scale inundations, and considerable material damage. The document states that the partial breach of the Cavaco River dikes, the overflowing of several waterways, and the saturation of urban drainage lines caused the submersion of entire neighborhoods, the interruption of road traffic, and the isolation of several communities.
As part of the emergency measures, Joo Louren§o authorizes more than 31.3 billion kwanzas for the recovery of the dikes affected by the Cavaco River floods, the dredging of the respective length, and the assessment of the structural integrity of the bridge over the river. The Head of State also approves the construction and rehabilitation of dikes on both banks of the Catumbela River, including dredging of the riverbed, at an expenditure exceeding 70.6 billion kwanzas, plus a contract for the supervision of the works.
The Coporolo River, in the municipality of Dombe Grande, should also benefit from dike construction and rehabilitation works, as well as dredging operations, in an investment estimated at around 66.6 billion kwanzas, also accompanied by supervision services. The order also contemplates the preparation of a definitive solution project for flood control in the Cavaco, Catumbela, and Coporolo rivers, including dikes made of mortared stones and slope protection interventions in the areas of the bridges over the Dongo and Nongaila rivers.
In the municipality of Caimbambo, the Executive authorized the construction of a temporary detour to ensure traffic during the works, as well as the design and construction of the permanent bridge over the Halo River, on National Road 260. The package of interventions also includes the repair of the damaged embankment on the bridge over the Hondio River and the correction of degraded pavements on the Catengue/Caimbambo sections, on National Road EN-260, and Lobito/Benguela, on EN-100.
The plan also includes the construction of 225 social housing units with basic water and energy infrastructure, in addition to two additional projects aimed at building 250 social housing units each, to resettle families affected by the floods. According to the decree, the new housing will be built in areas foreseen in the Benguela Municipal Master Plan, ensuring the permanent relocation of families to areas outside the reach of the floods.
The contracts also cover the cleaning, clearing, and repair of urban infrastructure in the affected areas, as well as coordination services for emergency works and permanent interventions. Presidential Decree No. 185/26 frames these measures within the need to strengthen risk mitigation, improve urban drainage systems, and promote land use planning in the most vulnerable areas, in order to reduce the impact of extreme events.