Freddy, still on track to become one of the world's longest tropical storms, leaves more than 460 people dead, says UN, with 360 in Malawi, 86 in Mozambique and 17 in Madagascar.
Weather conditions were expected to improve as the storm dissipated over land after days of torrential rains, but flood levels remained high in some areas hampering emergency efforts.
Freddy is one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the southern hemisphere and could be the longest-lasting tropical cyclone, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Two people were missing out of 47 people who had embarked on the perilous sea journey to reach the French territory of Mayotte, officials said.
The tropical cyclone, which is currently rushing across the ocean with average wind speeds of 205 kilometres per hour, is equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane and is expected to dump heavy rain in the southeastern African coast.
Shipment of Russian and Ukrainian grain is vital for many African countries, especially those facing crop failure due to weather extremes and internal conflicts.
Moscow has interfered in more than two dozen countries since 2014 by bankrolling candidates and political parties in bid to gain influence, a declassified intelligence assessment claims.
Government hits back at opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana, saying for such comments to come "from a former head of state who ordered the shooting of a crowd in 2009, is inadmissible and it stirs up hatred among our compatriots."
With several dead in the police shooting, officers claim some 500 protesters armed with blades "tried to force their way" into the station in southeast of country.
Malagasy army is hunting down around 12 cattle rustlers, known locally as the dahalo, after they rounded up victims inside three houses and set the buildings on fire.
There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries, but local authorities reported extensive damage to houses and other buildings in at least one city.
At least 120 people have died from last week's cyclone with most of the fatalities from a single district where it levelled homes. .
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