Tropical Cyclone Dineo has hit the
Inhambane province of Mozambique, with high winds, torrential rain and
dangerous storm surge.
Dineo, the equivalent of a category 1
hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, made landfall in the town of Inhambane
at around 1630 GMT on Wednesday 15 February.
It is the first cyclone to hit
the province of Inhambane since Favio caused destruction in February 2007 and
the first to hit the town itself for more than 30 years. In 2008, intense
tropical cyclone Jokwe made landfall higher up the coast of Mozambique.
According to World Metrological Office
in La Reunion (Meteo-France), wind gusts may reach up to 180 km/h in affected
coastal areas.
Rainfall may exceed 150mm in 24 hours,
both in coastal areas, but also well inland. Storm surge will be 2-3 meters in
the Bay of Inhambane, which is a popular tourist destination. But it will
coincide with high tide to produce very hazardous waves and storm surge.
After landfall, Dineo will weaken but
still has the potential to bring heavy rainfall to parts of Zimbabwe and South
Africa.
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