Thousands are homeless
Mozambique is withstanding heavy rain and gale-force winds being caused by Cyclone Eline. Winds in excess of 75 miles an hour are battering the coastline of the south-eastern African country, which is already suffering the after effects of the worst flooding in 30 years. The cyclone 9 is reported to be over the mainland, some 60 miles from the country's second city, Beira. South African Air Force helicopters have suspended aid flights because of the high winds. More than 200,000 Mozambicans have already had their homes washed away by flooding in two weeks of rain.
Attempts to bring aid to the homeless have been hampered by the threat of the cyclone. Over 200,000 buildings have been washed away along with bridges, roads and other structures. Some southern villages have reported a rise in the water level of two metres at the height of the storms. 40,000 cattle are said to have been killed and more than 70,000 acres of rice and corn destroyed. Alongside the threat of starvation, is the threat now posed by malaria and cholera.
