Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi hit Mozambique on January 13, 2025, after causing 3 deaths in Madagascar and widespread destruction, including damaged homes and schools. The cyclone made landfall with winds reaching 160 km/h, leading to severe rainfall and flooding in affected regions of Mozambique. Emergency measures, including flight cancellations and school postponements, were implemented as authorities activated Red cyclone alerts for high-risk areas.
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi significantly impacted the coast of Mozambique on January 13, 2025, after having caused devastation in Madagascar, where it resulted in at least three fatalities and extensive property damage. The cyclone made landfall in Madagascar’s Antsiranana province on January 11, with wind speeds reaching 155 km/h (96 mph), leading to the destruction of homes and affecting thousands of residents. Reports indicate that 11 homes were entirely destroyed and 370 extensively damaged, with 69 schools also impacted, leaving over 5,210 people affected in total.
Following its passage through Madagascar, which was still recovering from the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Chido, the storm affected the island of Mayotte, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 14,500 individuals to emergency shelters. On January 13, Dikeledi brushed past Nacala in Mozambique’s Nampula Province, with winds escalating to 160 km/h (98 mph). The cyclone triggered heavy rainfall and flooding, prompting the Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology to issue Red cyclone warnings for the region.
Forecasts indicated that certain districts within Nampula Province could experience over 200 mm (8 inches) of rainfall within a 24-hour period, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. Authorities also announced the cancellation of flights at Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi International Airport and the postponement of school reopenings until at least January 20 for affected areas.
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi emerged as a powerful storm affecting multiple regions in the southwestern Indian Ocean, with its trajectory leading it to touch various locations. Upon landfall in Madagascar, the storm wreaked havoc, resulting in human casualties and substantial destruction, underscoring the vulnerability of island nations to such natural disasters. Each cyclone season poses challenges for emergency services and national infrastructure, as seen in the aftermath of Dikeledi, which continued to disrupt daily life even as it moved toward Mozambique. The compounded impact of this cyclone follows previous storms that have devastated areas in the region, signifying a critical need for preparedness and recovery strategies in the face of increasing climatic events.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi not only left a tragic toll in Madagascar, with three deaths and significant infrastructure damage, but also impacted Mozambique, causing severe disruptions and extensive rainfall. The cyclone’s trajectory highlights the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness across regions frequently plagued by such natural phenomena. With authorities actively responding to the ongoing challenges posed by Dikeledi, it is clear that the cyclonic activity in this area demands continual vigilance and comprehensive response plans for future storms.
Original Source: watchers.news
