Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi struck Mozambique on January 13, 2025, after causing three deaths in Madagascar. Originating in Antsiranana province, the cyclone led to significant infrastructure damage and hundreds of evacuations. As it approached Mozambique, cyclone warnings were issued, especially for Nampula and Zambezia provinces, where heavy rainfall and high winds created flooding risks, necessitating emergency preparedness efforts.
On January 13, 2025, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi impacted Mozambique, following its landfall in Madagascar which resulted in a tragic loss of three lives and extensive destruction. Making landfall in Madagascar’s Antsiranana province on January 11, Dikeledi unleashed winds reaching 155 km/h (96 mph), damaging at least 370 homes and affecting over 5,200 individuals. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported significant destruction to infrastructure and hundreds were displaced. The cyclone subsequently brushed the Mozambican coast near Nacala with winds up to 160 km/h (98 mph), prompting severe weather alerts in Nampula and Zambezia provinces. Red cyclone warnings, the highest alert level, were issued, and heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm (8 inches) was forecasted in several districts, exacerbating the risk of flooding and disruption for residents.
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of regions in southeastern Africa to extreme weather events. The cyclone’s path through Madagascar, already grappling with the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Chido, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by these areas. With critical infrastructures compromised and communities severely impacted, the necessity for robust preparedness and response strategies is underscored. This event particularly stresses the significance of international monitoring and humanitarian support in mitigating the impacts of such disasters.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has wrought devastation across Madagascar and Mozambique, leaving communities in dire need of assistance. The reported casualties and displaced individuals necessitate immediate humanitarian efforts. As the affected regions grapple with recovery, establishing effective disaster management strategies will be crucial in building resilience against future cyclonic events. The trajectory of Dikeledi shows the interconnectedness of disaster impacts across neighboring countries, calling for collaborative response measures.
Original Source: watchers.news
