19 killed, Beira city shut off as tropical cyclone slams Mozambique

Tropical cyclone Idai battered central Mozambique on Friday killing at least 19 people and cutting off more than half a million people in one of the country's largest cities Beira. State broadcaster Radio Mocambique, said "preliminary information points to 19 deaths and more than 70 injured in Sofala province as a result of cyclone Idai". Most of the deaths occurred in Beira -- a port hub and capital of Sofala province -- a city which has virtually been cut off after power lines crashed, the airport was shut and roads swamped by flooding.