More rains forecast

Rains and heavy floods which are creating havoc across Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa and Botswana were forecast to continue for at least another three days, the South African Weather Bureau said on Friday. At least 70 people were reported to have died as rivers burst their banks and homes were swept away in large swathes of territory in all four countries. "This has been a freak event and is totally abnormal," a weather bureau spokesman said. "Although rain is expected in the region at this time of year, we have had too much rain." Tens of thousands of people were left homeless, and in Mozambique, the country worst-hit, a major humanitarian operation is underway.