ONE of the longest-lasting weather systems in the southern hemisphere, ex-tropical cyclone Freddy is expected to bring heavy rain and a risk of flooding to Madagascar’s western and southern parts from tomorrow (Friday) evening.
This weather system has already caused much damage to the cyclone-battered island, as it made landfall approximately one week ago.
ALSO READ: Richards Bay man’s near-death experience
According to the World Meteorological Organisation, Freddy developed on 6 February off the coast of northwestern Australia, affecting Mauritius and La Reunion islands on its journey across the entire South Indian Ocean.
“This kind of super zonal track is very rare. The most recent recorded cases were tropical cyclones Leon-Eline and Hudah, both in 2000, which, like 2023, was a La Niña year,” said the World Meteorological Organisation on its website.
“Freddy weakened from an intense category 4 equivalent (on the Saffir Simpson scale) into a category 3 cyclone ahead of landfall on the eastern Malagasy coast near the town of Mananjary in the evening of 21 February, with sustained windspeeds of 150 km/h.
“This was the same region that was hit in February 2022 by tropical cyclones Batsirai and Emnati – two of five tropical cyclones that caused devastation and loss of life in Madagascar last year.”
All eyes are once again on Freddy, currently classified as a tropical depression, as the system is expected to reintensify in the Mozambique Channel.
As of Thursday morning, the quasi-stationary (slow-moving) Freddy was 220km southeast of Beira over the channel.
According to the Severe Weather and Information Centre SA (SwaicSA) Facebook page, the system will continue tracking east-south-east over the coming days.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
