Floods kill hundreds in Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 7 (UPI) -- Floods resulting from torrential rain in Africa have killed hundreds of people and forced millions from their homes, authorities said.

The floods in eastern, central and southern Africa caused widespread damage to property and washed away entire herds of livestock, Radio France Internationale, RFI, reported.

In eastern Uganda, officials said, 300 people are believed to have been killed in a mudslide.

Thousands of villagers have been moved away from surrounding mountains because of fears of outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera and malaria.

Floods killed at least seven people and left dozens missing in Kenya, RFI reported. Authorities warned floods still threaten the south and west of the country.

At heavily visited natural parks, helicopters had to rescue hundreds of stranded tourists.

In the Garbatula region of Eastern Province, hundreds of houses were under water, while in Zambia, heavy rains displaced more than 100,000 families.

The floods also have hit Tanzania and Somalia.