Cyclone Freddy made landfall for a second time this month in central Mozambique on Saturday, March 11, breaking records for duration and strength of tropical storms in the Southern hemisphere.

The cyclone then passed near Malawi late on Sunday night, March 12, bringing torrential rain and flooding.

According to CNN, due to disruptions to communications and electricity supply in the storm area, the extent of the damage and the number of casualties has been difficult to determine.

Last month, more than 171 000 people were affected by Cyclone Freddy, which killed 27 people in Mozambique and Madagascar. More than half a million are at risk of being affected this time.

According to the Associated Press, at least 44 people have been killed in Mozambique and Malawi since the cyclone struck. Several more are missing or injured, with Malawi police spokesperson, Peter Kalaya, saying: “We suspect that this figure will rise as we are trying to compile one national report from our southwest, southeast and eastern police offices which cover the affected areas.”