Update on Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi and Its Impact on Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi struck northern Madagascar on 11 January 2025, affecting over 5,000 people and leading to three deaths and significant infrastructure damage. The cyclone has caused 352 displacements, with 750 children out of school due to destroyed classrooms. Humanitarian assistance is being provided as the cyclone transitions towards Mozambique’s Nampula Province, where severe weather is predicted.

On 11 January 2025, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi impacted northern Madagascar, resulting in significant rainfall and strong winds. The cyclone affected over 5,000 individuals, leading to three fatalities and the displacement of 352 people, with 750 children unable to attend school due to damage to more than 60 educational facilities. Humanitarian organizations are actively providing assistance to those affected by the disaster.

The cyclone directly impacted 5,216 members of the population, according to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC). It caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including flooding of approximately 1,300 houses, destruction of 370 homes, and complete loss of 11 residences. Additionally, 20 classrooms were destroyed, and 49 suffered partial damage. A total of 750 children were reported out of school, with Save the Children warning that over 22,500 children were likely in harm’s way from the cyclone.

As Dikeledi progressed, it made landfall in Nampula Province, Mozambique on 13 January, intensifying the adverse weather conditions in the region. Severe weather reports indicate heavy rains and dangerous winds, with gusts reaching up to 180 kilometers per hour. The National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD) predicted that the cyclone could bring over 200 mm of rain in just 24 hours, with severe thunderstorms anticipated in multiple provinces, impacting areas in Cabo Delgado and Zambezia.

Currently, the cyclone’s path is expected to curve southward after moving through Nampula Province. It is likely to reenter the Mozambique Channel on 13 or 14 January, with projections indicating that the cyclone may regain strength, potentially reaching the classification of an intense cyclone. By 16 or 17 January, the system is forecasted to traverse into southern latitudes, maintaining a southeast trajectory towards Madagascar’s Toliara province.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has inflicted significant damage across northern Madagascar, affecting thousands of individuals and resulting in deaths and displacement. Humanitarian efforts are underway to assist victims. The cyclone’s trajectory is expected to bring further severe weather to Mozambique and Madagascar, necessitating ongoing monitoring and preparedness measures in the affected regions.

Original Source: www.unocha.org