This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-48050859

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Cyclone Kenneth: Storm-battered Mozambique hit again Cyclone Kenneth: Storm-battered Mozambique hit again
(about 7 hours later)
Cyclone Kenneth has made landfall in northern Mozambique, a country still recovering from another huge storm.Cyclone Kenneth has made landfall in northern Mozambique, a country still recovering from another huge storm.
The cyclone has weakened in the past few hours but is forecast to cause flooding and bring storm surges of up to 5m (16ft). The cyclone has brought 220km/h (140mph) winds and has already killed three people on the island nation of Comoros.
Mozambique's National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) said 30,000 people had been evacuated from areas likely to be hit.Mozambique's National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) said 30,000 people had been evacuated from areas likely to be hit.
Last month, Cyclone Idai caused hundreds of deaths in the region.Last month, Cyclone Idai caused hundreds of deaths in the region.
More than 900 people died when the storm brought devastation to Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.More than 900 people died when the storm brought devastation to Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
At least three million people were left in need of humanitarian assistance.At least three million people were left in need of humanitarian assistance.
The latest system is expected to hit further north than Idai, forecaster say.
What is the latest?What is the latest?
Kenneth made landfall with wind speeds equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the north coast of Mozambique on Thursday evening. Kenneth made landfall on the north coast of Mozambique on Thursday evening, with wind speeds equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.
It arrived in the northern city of Pemba with maximum sustained winds of 220km/h (136mph), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. There is no previous record of hurricane-force systems ever hitting the region so far north before, BBC Weather reports.
It is expected to weaken as it moves inland.
A "compulsory evacuation" of families is under way and will continue "until we have all people in secure ground", INGC spokesman Paulo Tomas said.A "compulsory evacuation" of families is under way and will continue "until we have all people in secure ground", INGC spokesman Paulo Tomas said.
More than 680,000 people are said to be at risk from the cyclone, Mozambican officials said on Wednesday. More than 680,000 people are said to be at risk from the cyclone, Mozambican officials said on Wednesday. Flights have already been cancelled and schools closed.
Forecasters warn it is likely to be slow-moving, meaning heavy rain is expected to fall on the area for several days. Forecasters warn it is likely to be slow-moving, meaning heavy rain is expected to fall on the area for several days. The UN says over 600mm (23.6 inches) of rain may come - nearly double the 10-day accumulated rainfall that caused flooding in the port city of Beira, further south, during Cyclone Idai.
Flights have already been cancelled and schools closed as Mozambique braces for the storm to hit. Forecasters at Meteo-France warned that Kenneth could trigger waves up five metres (16 feet) higher than usual off the country's northeastern shores.
Residents in the southern Tanzanian town of Mtwara were told to seek higher ground and shelter, but that warning has been stood down. "I was quite preoccupied by the sea... the wind was very strong, and I've never seen anything like it in my 15 years in Pemba," a Portuguese owner of a lodge on Wimby beach, Anabela Moreira, told AFP.
The path of the cyclone has shifted south, meaning a major catastrophe is no longer expected, regional commissioner Gelasius Byakanwa told reporters. The UN's World Food Programme said it was working on an "emergency preparedness plan" with the Mozambican government and other humanitarian groups.
What about other countries in the region?
Comoros is still reeling from damage caused by the cyclone, which battered the islands with high winds and heavy rains. The winds have caused widespread power outages and damage to homes.
In some southern areas of neighbouring Tanzania, authorities have ordered schools and businesses to close.
Residents in the southern Tanzanian town of Mtwara were earlier told to seek higher ground and shelter, but that warning has been stood down.
The path of the cyclone has shifted meaning a major catastrophe is no longer expected, regional commissioner Gelasius Byakanwa told reporters.
"That has informed [our decision] to allow the residents to go back home and carry on with their daily activities." he said."That has informed [our decision] to allow the residents to go back home and carry on with their daily activities." he said.
Kenneth's violent winds and rains hit the island nation of Comoros overnight. Authorities there say the storm killed at least three people as it swept through. The two main islands in Comoros saw power outages and trees downed in high winds, Reuters news agency reports.
The country's two main islands saw power outages and trees downed in high winds, Reuters news agency reports.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies shared images of the damage on social media.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies shared images of the damage on social media.
In a tweet, the group confirmed it had volunteers on the ground assisting communities.In a tweet, the group confirmed it had volunteers on the ground assisting communities.
Late on Wednesday, the head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction said she feared the region faced "another humanitarian catastrophe". Despite Zimbabwe being further inland, officials there say they are also putting their disaster management agencies on alert.
Mami Mizutori shared an image which showed the large storm system on Twitter, warning it was already comparable in intensity to Cyclone Idai. "Drawing lessons from Cyclone Idai we cannot take chances any more," said Department of Civil Protection director Nathan Nkomo.
There is no previous record of hurricane-force systems ever hitting the region so far north before, BBC Weather reports.
The storm is expected bring 1m of rain to some areas of Mozambique.
Despite Zimbabwe being further inland, officials there say they are still putting their disaster management agencies on alert.
"Drawing lessons from Cyclone Idai we cannot take chances any more," said Department of Civil Protection Director Nathan Nkomo.