Southern Africa braces itself for Cyclone Freddy

Southern Africa is bracing for Cyclone Freddy which is expected to make landfall in Madagascar on Monday with two million people in its path, according to the UN.

In Mozambique, President Filipe Nyusi returned home early from the African Union summit as the storm could hit his country by the end of the week.

Madagascar has warned of the potential damage from heavy rains, strong winds and storm surges.

Reports suggest that the cyclone could affect nations along the coast from Tanzania to South Africa.

Flights in and out of neighbouring Mauritius have been cancelled.

Further inland, Zimbabwe has activated its disaster response.

Early last year southern African countries were battered by six severe storms that killed at least 890 people.