Floods caused by a cyclone and heavy rainfall have devastated swathes of southeastern Africa, leaving more than 300 people dead.

The United Nations and other aid organizations are rushing to provide food, medicine and other necessary goods to the stricken areas.

Heavy rainfall hit the region earlier this month, ahead of Cyclone Idai making landfall in Mozambique last Thursday.

Damaged areas span Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa. A total of 308 people have so far been confirmed dead, according to government figures.

In Beira, a Mozambican port city, two rivers flooded and submerged most of the city. Footage showed some people being rescued after being stranded on tree branches.

Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi said the scope of disaster was extensive, with concerns that the final death toll could rise to more than 1,000.

NHK