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Heavy rain forecast in Mozambique

JOHANNESBURG: The South African Weather Bureau warned on Monday that heavy rain would return to the area of Mozambique worst hit by floods over the past four weeks.

"Heavy rain exceeding 50mm per 24 hours can be expected to develop overnight and especially tomorrow over...the southern extremity of Mozambique," the bureau said in a statement.

The bureau said the rain would be heaviest south of Inhambane, which is the area worst hit by flooding from the Limpopo River, which burst its banks eight days ago to inundate huge areas of southern Mozambique.

The river started to recede on Friday and by Monday many communities faced seas of mud.

But with the land water-logged, new rains could quickly swell rivers still running full and could seriously disrupt the international relief effort that swung into action on Saturday.

"The central and northern parts of Mozambique, north of Inhambane, can expect further light to moderate showery patches today and tomorrow," the bureau said.-Reuters