Heavy rains in Mozambique and South Africa have killed more than 50 people and left around 100,000 people homeless.

Twenty-seven people are reported to have been killed in Mozambique and 30 in South Africa.

Large areas in the south of Mozambique - including parts of the capital, Maputo - have turned into swamps.

Maputo is isolated and the entry into the city is impossible.

There are reports of shortages of clean drinking water and food supplies.

Relief efforts

The South African air force has been helping relief efforts in the whole area.

Officials said helicopters and boats were picking up people clinging onto trees and on rooftops.

Health authorities have warned of possible outbreaks of malaria and cholera in the region.

Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano said his government would formally appeal to the international community for assistance.

Homes destroyed

In South Africa, tens of thousands, many of them in poor rural areas, have had their homes destroyed.

Many are now sheltering in hospitals and community centres.

In Alexandra township, just north of Johannesburg, several homes were partially swept away when the Jukskei river burst its banks, and residents were evacuated.

The military has been called in to airlift about 200 foreign tourists cut off by floodwaters in the Kruger National Park, South Africa's biggest game reserve.

The park is reported to be considering applying for national disaster status after flood damage forced officials to close the park's headquarters at Skukuza and two of its most popular camps.

Game rangers there report few casualties among the wildlife population, saying most of the animals reached high ground in time.

Botswana

The rains also affected Botswana, where dams were overflowing and mud huts in villages collapsed.

The weather system was caused by low tropical pressure off the coast of Mozambique.

Although Southern Africa normally enjoys its rainy season at this time of year, the storms have been unexpectedly heavy and have caught local people unaware.