Cyclone Heading For Mozambican Coast

A tropical cyclone has formed in the Mozambique Channel, and is forecast to make its way towards the Mozambican coast over the next three days, bringing strong winds and torrential rain to the south of the country.

Cyclone Deliwe has moved down the western coast of Madagascar, picking up speed. According to the US navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC), at 06.00 on Friday the cyclone was generating winds of 83 kilometres an hour, with gusts of over 100 kilometres an hour.

As it moves over open water, the storm is expected to gather strength. The forecast for Saturday morning is for winds of up to 120 kilometres an hour.

It is not yet clear whether Deliwe will strike the Mozambican coast, but the National Meteorology Institute (INAM) warns that it is heading towards Inhambane province. Thunderstorms and heavy rains can be expected in the southern part of the Mozambique Channel over the next four days.

The cyclone is moving west at a speed of 12 knots (22 kilometres an hour). It will create dangerous conditions at sea, with waves up to five metres high

INAM urges that shipping in the south of the Channel should take precautionary measures, as should people living in the coastal strip of Inhambane and Gaza provinces.

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