According to the National Meteorological Institute, 202 millimetres of rain fell on Beira between 20.00 on Monday and 15.00 on Tuesday - and the forecast was for continued rain into Wednesday.
The waters have invaded homes in several of the poorer suburbs of Beira, forcing families to spend the night in the rain, in the open, or at best on top of tables, abover the water.
Pit latrines have been flooded, raising the spectre of epidemics of cholera and other water-borne diseases.
Speaking on Mozambican Television on Tuesday night, the mayor of Beira, Daviz Simango, said at least two children are reported drowned, swept away by powerful currents of water.
The storm has also knocked down trees and electricity pylons, and huge craters were opened in some roads.
Residents in the Munhava-Central neighbourhood told reporters of water one and a half meters deep inside their homes.
As for the rice fields planted in the Beira green belt, it is feared that the rain will do more harm than good, sweeping away the crops.
In a message sent to the governor of Sofala province, Alberto Vaquina, Mozambican President Armando Guebuza expressed his solidarity with the victims, and pledged the government's support.
"We are sure that, by appealing to their self-esteem, and with the assistance of the government, other institutions, and people of good will, the victims will be able to overcome this drama", said Guebuza.
The director of the government's relief agency, the Natural Disasters Management Institute (INGC), Paulo Zucula, is visiting Beira to assess the situation.
SOURCE: AIM
