Madagascar
Two dozen Madagascans have died and tens of thousands been left homeless since a severe tropical storm made landfall last week and swirled for days off the island's western coast, official records showed Sunday.
Cyclone Cheneso smashed into northeastern Madagascar 10 days ago, bringing heavy winds and triggering downpours that have caused extensive flooding.
Over the week it has tracked south-eastwards, extending damage to houses, schools and cutting off several national roads.
Twenty-five people are now known to have died and 21 others are still missing, according to an update from Madagascar's risk management office.
At least 83,181 people have been affected, with nearly 38,000 displaced from their homes.
Cheneso -- which temporarily intensified to a tropical cyclone in recent days with winds of 118-166 kilometres per hour (73-103 miles per hour) -- "has started to lose its purely tropical characteristic," according to the southwest Indian ocean Regional Specialist Meteorological Centre based in the French overseas island of La Reunion
Storm Cheneso made landfall on January 19, packing winds of up to 110 kilometres per hour.
It is the first tropical storm of the current cyclone season in southern Africa -- which typically runs from November to April -- to hit the cyclone-prone large Indian ocean island.
01:39
Family of Kenyan man shot at close range by police demands accountability
01:10
Kenya's deputy police chief steps aside amid probe into blogger's death
00:41
Devastating floods in Eastern Cape Leave 78 dead as rescue efforts continue
01:53
India plane crash: Amit Shah confirms 1 survivor, offers condolences
01:13
Deadly Floods Devastate South Africa’s Eastern Cape: At Least 49 Dead, More Missing
00:54
Kenyan President condemns death in Police custody, orders swift investigation