Cyclone Kenneth: Mozambique could face 'catastrophic flooding' as new storm makes landfall

Six weeks after a tropical storm left hundreds dead in Mozambique, another potentially destructive cyclone has made landfall.

Part of the African nation - one of the poorest countries in the world - was left devastated by Cyclone Idai last month, and there are fears that Cyclone Kenneth could bring about similar carnage.

Mandatory evacuations were carried out ahead of its arrival, which is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding to northeastern regions largely spared by its predecessor.

Kenneth could also make its presence part in the south of Tanzania, where coastal residents have been told to flee their homes, and winds have already reached a whopping 136mph.

For Mozambique, it marks the first time in known history that the country has been hit by two cyclones in one season, with hundreds of thousands of people set to face extreme hunger as a result.

Idai - described by the United Nations as "one of the deadliest storms on record in the southern hemisphere" - wiped out crops on the eve of harvest, and Kenneth will further complicate efforts to recover.

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said Kenneth could cause "catastrophic flooding", with downpours set to go on for several days - possibly resulting in more than a metre of rain in some places.

Among the locations most in danger is Cabo Delgado province, which has seen a rise in deadly militant attacks in recent months, and local schools are being used as shelters.

Two severe weather events in quick succession have raised fears about the impact of climate change on coastal areas, with the low-lying Indian Ocean coastline of Mozambique vulnerable to rising waters.

On its way to Mozambique, Kenneth robbed people on the island nation of Comoros of power and also destroyed a number of homes.

The UN said it was still assessing the full extent of the damage there but is prepared for what could be another large relief operation, as is the Red Cross and other aid organisations.

But with a post-Idai fundraising campaign having reached just 24% of its target, there are concerns that aid programmes will end up falling well short of what is needed.

UN World Food Programme spokesman Herve Verhoosel said: "Although floodwaters have receded in most areas affected by Cyclone Idai, access is still a challenge as infrastructure was severely compromised.

"Another storm would be an additional blow for the people of Mozambique and would further complicate the response in all areas."