Tropical Storm Dikeledi Strikes Mozambique, After Causing Deaths in Madagascar

Tropical Storm Dikeledi struck northern Mozambique after causing fatalities in Madagascar and triggering floods in Mayotte. The storm brought severe winds and rains, prompting flood warnings from local meteorological authorities, while President Filipe Nyusi advised residents to seek shelter and prepare essentials.

Tropical Storm Dikeledi made landfall in northern Mozambique on Monday, having already caused devastation in Madagascar, where it resulted in at least three fatalities, and influenced significant flooding in the French territory of Mayotte. As the storm approached Mozambique’s coastal Nampula region, it brought hazardous winds and substantial rainfall, prompting warnings from Meteo-France.

In the wake of prior calamities, including Cyclone Chido which killed over 120 individuals in December, Mozambique’s National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) has issued flood alerts anticipating rainfall of up to 200 millimeters within 24 hours, alongside wind gusts reaching up to 180 kilometers per hour. President Filipe Nyusi emphasized the importance of safety, advising residents in affected areas to secure shelter and gather essential supplies.

Meteorologists reported that Dikeledi made its first impact as a cyclone on Madagascar, where potent winds and relentless rains wreaked havoc before continuing its path southward. There are concerns that Madagascar may experience additional impacts as the storm progresses along its southwestern coastline.

The occurrence of cyclones in the Indian Ocean is common from November through March. Currently, elevated surface water temperatures in the region, nearing 30 degrees Celsius, contribute to the heightened intensity of such storms, an escalation aligned with global warming trends noted in other oceanic bodies.

Tropical storms and cyclones represent a significant threat in the Indian Ocean region, particularly during the seasonal extremities from November to March. Environmental factors, such as increased surface water temperatures resulting from climate change, have been closely linked to the severity and frequency of these weather events. This year has exhibited atypically warm water conditions, which amplify the potential destructiveness of cyclones, as evidenced by the recent impacts of Tropical Storm Dikeledi and prior cyclones in the area, including Cyclone Chido in Mozambique.

In summary, Tropical Storm Dikeledi poses severe risks to Mozambique, having already resulted in casualities and widespread flooding in nearby regions. With forewarnings of substantial rainfall and damaging winds, the urgency for safety measures is paramount. The storm exemplifies the dangers posed by seasonal cyclones, exacerbated by rising oceanic temperatures due to climate change. Authorities urge individuals to adhere to safety directives to mitigate potential harm.

Original Source: www.barrons.com