The Mozambican authorities say the number of victims of the torrential rains and strong winds, in many parts of the country, over the past two weeks has risen to 40 and the number of those directly affected by the calamity stands at more than 70,000.

They say the storm has left a trail of destruction, flattening houses, schools, hospitals, access routes and electricity pylons. The government, which has just issued an orange alert, advised people to move to safe ground.

The situation is so serious that it forced the government to convene an emergency meeting of the technical committee of the national relief agency chaired by the Mozambican prime minister, Carlos Agostinho do Rosario.

Agencies