Southern Africa prepares to face Cyclone Freddy

Cyclone Freddy has weakened in the past few hours, but continues to approach Mauritius "dangerously" and poses a "direct threat to the island", the local weather office has reported. The sea is expected to fill up to about seven meters above the rocks. About 400 people live in the capital, Port Louis.

Southern Africa is bracing for Cyclone Freddy which is expected to hit 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 meeting as a storm could hit his country at the end of the week.

Madagascar has warned of possible damage caused by heavy rain, strong winds and storm surges. Reports indicate that the cyclone may affect coastal countries from Tanzania to South Africa.

Flights to and from neighboring Mauritius have been suspended. Zimbabwe is also prepared to face the disaster.

Early last year, southern African countries were hit by six severe storms that killed approximately 890 people.