MAPUTO, Jan 27 (AFP) - The death toll from a storm that struck three southern African countries rose to 77 on Thursday as emergency teams battled to repair damaged infrastructure and help tens of thousands of victims.

Bringing torrential rains, tropical storm Ana made landfall Monday in Madagascar before ploughing into Mozambique and Malawi.

Madagascar on Thursday night declared a state of national disaster as the death toll rose to 48. Mozambique reported 18 deaths while 11 had died in Malawi.