ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, March 6 (UPI) -- Tropical Cyclone Irene, lingering on since it hit Madagascar two weeks ago, has swept across southeastern Africa, killing at least 77 people, authorities said.
Officials said Monday at least 65 people died in Madagascar as torrential rain deluged the entire island, and also affected southern areas of Mozambique and eastern South Africa, al-Jazeera reported Tuesday.
As late as Monday, Mozambique officials were advising fishermen not to venture out following the deaths of five fishermen in rough seas off the country's port city of Beira Saturday.
In South Africa, officials reported that Durban was hit by waves nearly 10 feet high as the storm approached and ships were ordered to stay in port.
Irene, which has been downgraded to a "moderate" tropical storm, also damaged scores of buildings, Primedia Broadcasting reported.
The storm has gone out to sea but forecasters said it was expected to veer back toward the coast later this week.
