Roundup: Over 200 dead as heavy rains, flooding batter Southern Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Weeks of persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have struck several countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, destroying property and prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue operations.

South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre declared a national disaster on Sunday as heavy rains and flooding continued to batter northern parts of the country.