Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo cancelled his planned trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, citing severe flooding that has damaged infrastructure and left hundreds of thousands of people affected across the country.

"We decided to cancel our participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Mozambique is going through a tough time. As president of the republic, our place is with our people. We keep our commitment to the investment and to international partners, but the absolute priority, at this moment, is to save lives," Chapo said in a Facebook post.

Heavy rains that began in mid-December have caused widespread flooding in Mozambique's Gaza, Maputo and Sofala provinces, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Several river basins remain above alert levels, raising fears that the situation could deteriorate further as rainfall continues.

In a report released on Sunday, OCHA said authorities estimate that more than 400,000 people have been affected, with the figure expected to rise in the coming days.

Mozambique has received regional support as rescue efforts continue. Neighboring South Africa has deployed an air force helicopter to assist with search-and-rescue operations. 

South Africa has also been affected by heavy rains, particularly in the northeast, where flooding forced the temporary closure of Kruger National Park. 

Flooding across southeastern Africa has become increasingly frequent and severe, a trend scientists link to climate change and more powerful storms forming over the Indian Ocean.

Edited by CGTN Africa reporter Marion Gachuhi