The South African Weather Service said in a statement on Monday that the storm is currently passing over the Mozambique Channel.
‘The tropical cyclone that formed just off from Mozambique is now heading towards South Africa. It will hit the north eastern parts of South Africa by Thursday, Limpopo and Mpumalanga,’ Ivano Diedericks, a farmer and weather fundi from Graskop, said to Letaba Herald.
Diedericks told the Herald that heavy rains can possibly cause flooding in the Kruger National Park and that Mozambique is going to be hit the hardest.
“Weather conditions in the Mozambique Channel continue to be hot and humid‚ with light winds in the atmosphere‚ whilst sea-surface temperatures exceed 30°C over the eastern part of this region‚ adjoining the Mozambique Channel. These are all favourable ingredients for the growth and intensification of tropical lows.”
The storm is currently classified as a tropical disturbance.
If it intensifies and is classified as a moderate tropical storm‚ as expected‚ it will be named Dineo.
It is predicted that the storm will hit Mozambique’s coastline before it reaches South Africa‚ where heavy rain‚ flooding and possibly wind damage may be expected.
“Whilst much rainfall can be expected for southern Mozambique as well as parts of South Africa later in the week‚ the system itself will‚ in all probability‚ dissipate within 36 to 48 hours of moving inland.”
On Monday afternoon forecaster Lebogang Mashile confirmed that Dineo had not yet been named‚ as it was still a tropical disturbance.
She said the north-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal may also be affected.
Moderate tropical storms are associated with wind speeds of 63-88hm/h.
By the time it reaches the north-eastern parts of South Africa on Thursday evening‚ it is likely to result in heavy rains and flooding.
“Whilst there is much uncertainty regarding the location and timing of the storm’s impact within South Africa‚ the most likely areas to be affected include the Ehlanzeni district (including the Kruger National Park) in Mpumalanga as well as Mopani and Vhembe districts in Limpopo‚ before spreading to other districts in Limpopo.”
Source: LocalSA
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