MAPUTO, Feb 18 (Reuters) - An intense tropical cyclone is threatening to strike already flood-hit Mozambique on Tuesday, the country's National Meteorological Institute (INAM) said on Monday.

INAM said in a statement Cyclone Ivan, a category 4 storm, had strengthened over the Indian Ocean and was likely to cause damage when it reached the coast.

"We are monitoring the situation very closely before we issue an alert," it said.

INAM said Cyclone Ivan had gathered winds of up to 90 miles per hour and is just 340 miles (547 kms) east of the Mozambican channel and could strengthen further.

Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi have been lashed by heavy rain for several weeks, causing swollen rivers to burst their banks and forcing thousands of villagers to flee flooded homes.

Mozambique's worst disaster in recent memory occurred in 2000-2001 when a series of cyclones worsened widespread flooding in southern and central parts of the country, killing 700 people and driving close to half a million from their homes. (Editing by Phumza Macanda)

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