Tropical storm Dikeledi has moved toward Mozambique, causing fatalities in Madagascar and flooding in Mayotte. Despite its distance from Mayotte, a red alert remains in effect. The region is still recovering from Cyclone Chido, which caused significant devastation. Dikeledi is expected to intensify as it approaches Mozambique, prompting warnings of hazardous conditions. Emergency response efforts are underway in both Mayotte and Madagascar.
Tropical storm Dikeledi has moved towards Mozambique after causing significant devastation in Madagascar and triggering flooding in Mayotte. Following its landfall as a cyclone on Saturday, Dikeledi has been confirmed responsible for at least three fatalities in Madagascar, according to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Although the storm passed Mayotte at a distance of roughly 100 kilometers, a red alert has been maintained due to continuing strong winds and heavy rainfall. Mayotte’s prefect, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, emphasized the territory’s vulnerability, declaring that the red alert would remain in effect until at least nightfall.
The region is still recovering from the impacts of Cyclone Chido, which resulted in 39 deaths and over 5,600 injuries in Mayotte, alongside substantial destruction. In December, when Chido affected Mozambique, the storm led to at least 120 fatalities. As of Monday morning, Dikeledi had been reported 150 kilometers off Mozambique’s coast, with forecasts indicating a potential intensification as it traverses the warm waters of the Mozambique Channel.
Despite the storm’s departure, Mayotte continues to experience heavy precipitation, leading meteorologists to advise significant caution, especially in coastal areas. Rescue crews reported severe damage, including the washing away of houses and flooding in various villages. The community is on high alert, adhering to the strict travel bans imposed by the red alert, although some residents have begun to venture outdoors.
The Ministry of the Overseas Territories has mobilized over 4,000 personnel for response efforts, and temporary accommodations have been prepared to host thousands of displaced individuals. As Dikeledi nears Mozambique, conditions in the Nampula region are expected to worsen, with warnings issued regarding torrential rains and destructive winds.
Meteorologists note that cyclone activity in the Indian Ocean peaks from November to March, with current ocean temperatures being conducive to storm intensification—a phenomenon attributed to global warming.
The tropical storm season in the Indian Ocean typically extends from November to March, and this year has seen unusually high surface water temperatures, reaching nearly 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). This warming is believed to contribute to the increased intensity of storms in the region, correlating with similar trends noted in other global oceans such as the North Atlantic and the Pacific. Recent cyclones, specifically Chido and now Dikeledi, have severely impacted the populations of neighboring territories, highlighting the vulnerable state of the region’s infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.
In summary, Tropical Storm Dikeledi has exacerbated the suffering of the cyclone-afflicted populations in Madagascar and Mayotte, while heading towards Mozambique. With lingering threats due to its continued adverse weather conditions, it is imperative that emergency response measures remain in place. Given the predictions of intensification as Dikeledi traverses warmer water, it is crucial for affected communities to prepare for potentially severe impacts in the days to come, even as they cope with the aftermath of previous cyclones.
Original Source: www.cbs19news.com
