New cyclone set to make landfall in northern Mozambique

JOHANNESBURG — Authorities have warned that a new cyclone is expected to make landfall by early Friday in northern Mozambique, just six weeks after Cyclone Idai devastated the central part of the country and left hundreds dead.

Cyclone Kenneth could bring heavy rains and flooding to northeastern Mozambique and southern Tanzania. The Pacific Disaster Center forecasts that landfall will occur north of the city of Pemba.

The United Nations, the Red Cross and other aid organizations are already bracing for what could be another large relief operation, again in mostly rural areas.

The U.N. humanitarian agency says the new cyclone threatens an area in northern Mozambique where residents are not used to such strong storms. That includes Cabo Delgado province, which has seen a rise in deadly militant attacks in recent months.

The Associated Press