In the southern district of Quthing, rains were recorded at 500 mm (20 inches), double the previous highest rate of 251 mm (10 inches) recorded in 1988, Lesotho Meteorological Services official Mabafokeng Mahahabisa told Reuters.

The meteorological office warned earlier this month that a tropical cyclone off the coast of Mozambique and the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar would cause heavy rains and strong winds.

In the past week, rains have pounded Lesotho's capital Maseru as well as the districts of Leribe, Butha-Buthe and Quthing, forcing thousands of people to seek shelter on higher ground.

"Two children and three adults have drowned as a result of the rains - they tried to cross bridges and were swept away," an Authority official said.

Traffic was heavy in the usually sleepy capital of Maseru on Friday, and power outages hit some districts of the country as electricity cables were damaged by rains, a Reuters witness said.

Rocks tumbled from hills and mountain sides, burying houses in some cases and fuelling panic among the Sotho.

Ploughing of wetlands has been delayed by the rain, implying a late winter crop in a country that has lived off international food handouts for years.