Torrential rains and floods have killed dozens of people in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe in recent weeks, and the situation could well worsen in the coming days.
Authorities warned on Friday that even harsher weather conditions were expected in several southern African countries in the coming days.
In Mozambique, the National Institute for Disaster Management said 103 people had died following exceptionally heavy rains. These deaths are due to various causes, including electrocutions by lightning, drownings, infrastructure collapse caused by bad weather and cholera, the institute said.
Neighboring South Africa has reported at least 19 deaths in two of its northern provinces following heavy rains that began last month.
In the famous Kruger Park, tourists and staff members were evacuated from the camps by helicopter. The park is now closed to visitors, as parts of it are inaccessible due to collapsing roads and bridges.
Zimbabwe's disaster management agency said 70 people have died, 51 have been injured and more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed by flooding since the start of the year, while infrastructure including schools, roads and bridges, collapsed.
Floods also affected the island of Madagascar, off the coast of Africa, as well as Malawi and Zambia. Malagasy authorities said 11 people had died in floods since late November.
The U.S. Famine Early Warning System said flooding had been reported or expected in at least seven southern African countries, likely due to the weather phenomenon The Niña which can bring heavy rain to parts of southeastern Africa.
