Seventeen people drowned in a man-made lake in Zambia when their canoe capsized due to heavy rains, officials said today.
A junior minister for Zambia's Central Province said 13 of the victims were members of one family who were canoeing to a village to attend a funeral on Friday night.
Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi have experienced heavy rains for several weeks. Swollen rivers have burst their banks, killing dozens and forcing thousands of villagers to flee their homes.
Zambia's Meteorological Department said more flooding was expected from heavier rains forecast in traditionally higher rain belts in the country's northern region.
The country declared a national disaster last week, and officials said they feared the outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera.
The government has appealed for $13 million in emergency funds from Western donors, and the Road Development Agency said it planned to spend about $15.6 million to construct new roads after the flood damage.
Zambian authorities have closed schools, converting them into shelters for those displaced.