Tropical Storm Dikeledi Approaches Mozambique After Devastating Madagascar and Mayotte
Tropical storm Dikeledi is moving toward Mozambique after causing fatalities and flooding in Madagascar and Mayotte. The storm initially struck Madagascar as a cyclone, leading to three confirmed deaths. Mayotte remains under red alert as heavy rains and winds persist, exacerbating the damage from the previous Cyclone Chido which claimed 39 lives. The storm is expected to gain strength over warm ocean waters as it approaches Mozambique.
Tropical storm Dikeledi is currently moving toward Mozambique, having previously wreaked havoc in Madagascar and Mayotte. The storm, which initially struck Madagascar’s northern tip as a cyclone, resulted in the deaths of three individuals and severe flooding in Mayotte, which continues to be on the highest alert due to its fragile condition post-Cyclone Chido. Strong winds and relentless rainfall were reported, although no casualties associated with Dikeledi have been confirmed thus far.
Following its landfall in Madagascar, Dikeledi weakened but is expected to intensify over the warm waters of the Mozambique Channel. Meteo-France reports that the storm is predicted to reach the status of an intense or very intense tropical cyclone. Authorities in Mayotte have remained on red alert, restricting travel for the safety of residents as parts of the territory suffer from prior cyclone damage and heavy rains.
Local emergency services reported that about a dozen houses in Mayotte had been washed away and several villages inundated due to the continuing rains. Residents expressed immense frustration and trauma due to the repeated devastation from cyclones, notably after the impact of Cyclone Chido, which claimed 39 lives and caused substantial injuries. There are currently over 4,000 responders mobilized in Mayotte to assist in recovery efforts and to aid those displaced by the storms.
The Indian Ocean cyclone season typically runs from November to March, during which tropical storms can significantly impact surrounding regions. Tropical storms like Dikeledi and Cyclone Chido can exacerbate climate-related challenges, particularly for vulnerable territories such as Mayotte, where geographic and economic factors amplify the risks posed by such natural disasters. Current environmental conditions, notably rising sea surface temperatures attributed to climate change, are providing more fuel for storm intensity, suggesting a potentially more severe cyclone season ahead.
Storm Dikeledi poses an ongoing threat to Mozambique after causing fatalities and damage in Madagascar and Mayotte. Following the red alert conditions, authorities emphasize the importance of caution as the region braces for possible heavy winds and rain while still recovering from the impact of Cyclone Chido. The community remains in a vulnerable state, reflecting on the cumulative toll of recurrent storms on local lives and infrastructure.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
