TROPICAL Cyclone Freddy was reported to be weakening yesterday afternoon as it moved over Mozambique, but Zimbabwe’s Metrological Services Departments (MSD) indicated that it was still expected to make a landfall.
In a joint statement yesterday, the MSD and the Department
of Civil Protection said the cyclone had slightly delayed landfall by 12 hours.
“The former Tropical Cyclone Freddy is currently in the
Severe tropical storm stage, with wind speed of rotation of approximately
110km/hr. It has slightly delayed landfall by 12 hours. This delay will result
in further clearing of the atmosphere over southern Africa and strengthening
Freddy’s rotational winds to 120km per hour (65 knots) by the time it makes
landfall over southern Mozambique later in the afternoon,” the statement read.
“In a few hours, Freddy’s spinning cloud bands (spanning
more a +500km radius) would cause strong winds, reduced to less than 40 knots
(typical strong winds are usually 20 knots), increased cloudiness and localised
heavy rains (above 65mm) from Saturday 25 until Tuesday February 28, 2023 in
districts such as Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Chivi, Masvingo
Rural, Zaka, Bikita, Gutu and Buhera.”
Yesterday afternoon, South African Weather Service (SAWS)
forecaster Wayne Venter said the storm started to weaken much faster than
initially anticipated.
Government said the country remained on high alert despite
indications of the cyclone weakening.
Schools in identified hotspots were closed yesterday as a
preventive measure, with authorities also urging people to be cautious and stay
indoors in case the cyclone sweeps through the country.
As of yesterday, the cyclone had killed seven people and
caused significant damage in Madagascar. In Mozambique, it had turned into a
storm accompanied by strong winds. Newsday
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