Tropical Storm Dikeledi Strikes Mozambique, Following Deadly Path Through Madagascar
Tropical Storm Dikeledi struck northern Mozambique after causing fatalities in Madagascar and flooding in Mayotte. As it intensified, the storm brought severe weather, prompting flood warnings and safety advisories from authorities in Mozambique. Cyclones like Dikeledi are increasing in intensity due to warmer ocean temperatures, highlighting climate change impacts in the Indian Ocean region.
Tropical Storm Dikeledi made landfall in northern Mozambique on Monday, following its passage through Madagascar which resulted in the loss of at least three lives and severe flooding in Mayotte. Upon reaching Mozambique’s Nampula region, Dikeledi escalated in strength, producing destructive winds and heavy rainfall, as reported by Meteo-France, a prominent French meteorological agency. The storm follows the devastation of Cyclone Chido, which claimed over 120 lives in northern Mozambique last December and left significant destruction in Mayotte.
Mozambique’s National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) has issued urgent flood warnings, forecasting up to 200 millimeters (approximately eight inches) of rainfall within 24 hours, alongside wind gusts reaching 180 kilometers (110 miles) per hour. In light of the impending threat, President Filipe Nyusi has advised affected residents to seek shelter and stock necessary supplies, urging them to prioritize safety with a clear directive: “Go immediately to a safe shelter and stay there until the authorities give you further instructions,” as stated during the parliamentary session in the capital, Maputo.
As Dikeledi traversed Madagascar over the weekend, it struck the northern part of the island with cyclone intensity, resulting in three fatalities, according to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Additionally, they cautioned that the southwestern coast of Madagascar could face further impacts as the storm progresses southward later in the week. The seasonal period for cyclones in the Indian Ocean spans from November to March, with current surface water temperatures reaching nearly 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), creating conditions conducive to storm intensification, a phenomenon associated with global warming affecting weather patterns across various oceanic regions.
The Indian Ocean cyclone season typically runs from November to March, during which conditions become favorable for cyclone development due to warmer sea surface temperatures. Tropical Storm Dikeledi serves as a stark reminder of the severe weather patterns induced by climate change, as evidenced by the recent occurrences of Cyclone Chido which devastated northern Mozambique and previous cyclonic activities in Madagascar and Mayotte. The rising temperatures, currently close to 30 degrees Celsius in this region, exacerbate storm intensity, leading to catastrophic impacts on vulnerable coastal communities.
In summary, Tropical Storm Dikeledi poses a significant threat to northern Mozambique after devastating Madagascar. With extreme weather conditions anticipated, authorities have cautioned residents to take precautions and seek safety. The recent history of cyclones in this region underscores the growing impact of climate change on tropical storm activity, necessitating a robust response from governments and communities alike to enhance preparedness and resilience against future cyclonic events.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
