Big floods likely as new cyclone hits Mozambique

The second powerful cyclone to strike Mozambique in just six weeks ripped off roofs, killed at least one person and dumped heavy rain as a World Meteorological Organisation spokesperson warned of flooding ahead. The UN has said this is the first time Mozambique has been hit by two cyclones in one season.

Geneva:The second powerful cyclone to strike Mozambique in just six weeks ripped off roofs, killed at least one person and dumped heavy rain on Friday as a World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) spokesperson warned of flooding ahead.

Cyclone Kenneth packed the power of a Category 4 hurricane as it approached Mozambique, with maximum sustained winds of 225 kph (136 mph) Jens Laerke, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) spokesperson, said.

WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis said the storm struck an area in the north of the country which had never been hit by a cyclone and that had "certainly never experienced a tropical cyclone of that intensity".

The Mozambique government said it evacuated around 30,000 people before the extreme weather hit, while neighbouring Tanzania has also issued a red alert, Nullis added.

UGC footage from the Diamonds Mequfi Beach Resort showed the high winds in full force.

The UN has said this is the first time Mozambique has been hit by two cyclones in one season.

Cyclone Idai killed more than 600 people and displaced tens of thousands just last month and Laerke said the latest storm would create a major new humanitarian operation when an ongoing one was already underfunded.