A cyclone that ripped across Mozambique and Zimbabwe has killed at least 162 people with scores more missing and caused “massive and horrifying” destruction in the Mozambican city of Beira.

A cyclone that slammed into Mozambique last week has damaged or destroyed 90 percent of the city of Beira, the Red Cross said Monday, as the death toll in the country and neighbouring Zimbabwe rose to 157.

It said 90 percent of Beira and its surrounds are “damaged or destroyed”.

A large dam burst on Sunday and cut off the last road to the city of some 530,000 people, the statement added.

Idai tore into the centre of the country on Thursday before continuing on to Zimbabwe, bringing flash floods and ferocious winds, washing away roads and houses.

A toll compiled Monday puts the death toll in Mozambique at 68, including 55 in Beira alone, and 89 in Zimbabwe, up from a previous toll of 127.

The IFRC warned that the death toll could rise once the full scale of the devastation is known, with further heavy rains are forecast.

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