Understanding Cyclone Dikeledi Through Satellite Imagery

Cyclone Dikeledi, observed by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 on 16 January, formed between Indonesia and Australia and intensified as it approached Madagascar, causing significant damage upon landfall. The cyclone subsequently affected Mozambique, Comoros, and Mayotte. The satellite imagery highlights the cyclone’s magnitude and its movement away from the Mozambique Channel while underscoring the critical nature of satellite data in disaster monitoring.

On 16 January, the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission captured remarkable imagery of Cyclone Dikeledi, located south of Madagascar. This cyclone had recently made landfall on Africa’s southeastern coast, wreaking havoc across various countries and islands. Cyclone Dikeledi initially formed between Indonesia and Australia and subsequently moved westward across the Indian Ocean, intensifying into a cyclone upon striking northern Madagascar on 11 January.

Following its landfall, Cyclone Dikeledi impacted southeastern Africa, including regions such as Mozambique, Comoros, and Mayotte, which was still reeling from the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in December. Earth observation satellites, particularly the Copernicus Sentinel-3, are crucial for providing comprehensive data on large-scale events. This cyclone’s width was approximately 500 kilometers, while the eye of the storm measured about 25 kilometers.

Utilizing the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument, the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission provides essential real-time data for both ocean and weather forecasting by monitoring significant global dynamics. The imagery depicts Dikeledi moving away from the Mozambique Channel, with the southern part of Madagascar shown in the upper left corner. It is important to note that tropical cyclones develop over warm ocean waters, differing in nomenclature based on their hemisphere of origin: hurricanes or typhoons in the northern hemisphere and cyclones in the southern hemisphere.

Cyclones, known for their formidable power and destructive capacity, originate primarily over warm ocean waters. In the case of Cyclone Dikeledi, its formation began in early January between Indonesia and Australia, illustrating the typical trajectory of tropical storms that develop into cyclones as they traverse warm water areas. The Copernicus Sentinel missions are instrumental in monitoring such meteorological phenomena, aiding in disaster response and management efforts across affected regions.

Cyclone Dikeledi serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive potential of tropical cyclones and the crucial role of satellite technology in disaster monitoring and response. The Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission not only captured detailed imagery of Dikeledi but also highlighted the impact of such systems on various nations in southeastern Africa. Timely data collected through these observations is vital for enhancing weather forecasting and emergency preparedness.

Original Source: www.esa.int