Cyclone Cheneso Affects Coastal Areas

Cyclone Cheneso Affects Coastal Areas

Maputo, 26 Jan (AIM) – The effects of Tropical Cyclone Cheneso are being felt in the coastal districts of the central Mozambican provinces of Zambézia and Sofala and the southern province of Inhambane, with the occurrence of strong winds that are generating waves up to 12 metres tall.

In a warning issued on Wednesday, the National Meteorology Institute (INAM) forecast heavy rainfall in these areas, with more than 200 millimetres of rain falling in 24 hours.

“INAM recommends taking precautionary and safety measures in view of the risk associated with winds, heavy rains accompanied by severe thunderstorms. The phenomenon is in the Mozambique Channel between the parallels 14 and 22 degrees south”, the document read.

Cheneso, the document explained, has evolved to the category of Tropical Cyclone and was currently in the Mozambique Channel 140 kilometres from the western Coast of Madagascar.

“At 12 noon yesterday, its epicentre was located at the coordinates 20 degrees south latitude and 42.9 degrees longitude, with a maximum wind speed of 120 kilometres per hour and gusts of 165 kilometres per hour”, the document says, adding that “multisector teams are positioned on the ground for the urgent withdrawal of communities in areas at risk.”

Cheneso formed in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, over a week ago. As it passed over northern Madagascar, it was expected to dissipate. But instead, it entered the Mozambique Channel, and grew in strength. On Wednesday morning, Cheneso’s average wind speed was 75 knots (about 140 kilometres an hour).

But current projections of the cycone’s route show that it will not make landfall in Mozambique. Instead, it is forecast to move south, before turning to the east, away from the African mainland.
(AIM)
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