Over 150,000 people deprived of electricity by Cyclone Dikeledi

Maputo, 14 Jan (AIM) – The Mozambican publicly-owned electricity company, EDM, on Tuesday reported that some districts of the northern province of Nampula are deprived of electricity as a result of the passage of Cyclone Dikeledi, which has been hitting the region since Monday.

The storm passed over the tip of northern Madagascar on Saturday night, and since Monday it has been striking the coast of Nampula province.

According to a statement issued by EDM, the power cut affects over 156,000 people in the districts of Nacala-Port, Nacala-à-Velha, Mossuril, Memba, Mozambique Island, Monapo, and Nacaroa.

EDM technical teams are on the ground to ensure that the normal electricity supply to those areas is restored as soon as possible.

“As a result of the constraints, EDM is working in order to determine the damage, an activity that is being hampered by the prevalence of rain and strong winds”, said the company. “In order to avoid casualties, the company calls on the residents to follow strict observance of prevention and safety measures, such as: avoid being near any electrical equipment and avoid touching power lines or pylons.”

“People must also prevent children from playing near damaged infrastructure; switch off the main switchboard and all electrical appliances, such as televisions, fridges and cookers, etc. Always keep electrical appliances away from water, avoid handling electrical appliances and equipment with a wet body or barefoot and do not use power tools outdoors in damp conditions”, reads the EDM note.

Dikeledi is now moving away from the coast and heading southwards down the Mozambique Channel. According to the projections made by the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC), on Friday the storm system will be brushing the western coast of Madagascar. By the end of the week, it will be moving out of the tropics altogether.
(AIM)
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