At least 70 dead in Mozambique rains, 150 000 displaced

At least 70 people have died and 150 000 have been displaced in Mozambique during this year's rainy season, which last week culminated in the flooding of southern parts of the country, authorities said Wednesday.

The latest deaths occurred in the northern province of Nampula, where two kids were killed as their homes collapsed, according to a Mozambique National Disaster Management Institute spokesperson.

Authorities have warned that heavy rains battering central and northern Mozambique could also provoke floods in low-lying areas across major river basins, especially on the Zambezi River, affecting more that 100,000 people.

Since the beginning of the rainy season in October, about 40 people have died as a direct result of the floods, and dozens of others have been killed by wild animals, have been electrocuted or have drowned.

The World Bank has pledged 50 million dollars in aid to help Mozambican authorities with the reconstruction after the floods.