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Most of Mozambique’s Inhambane coast is at risk, says the National Emergency Operational Centre (CENOE) as Dineo has been classed as a category four Cyclone.
A statement released by the CENOE warns that cyclone could bring high winds of up to 200 kilometres an hour with the likelihood of rainfall of more than 100 millimetres in 24-hours.
Having started over the weekend, the storm has quickly escalated to Cyclone status and according to CENOE, most of the Inhambane coast is at risk, including the provincial capital, Inhambane city, and the districts of Zavala, Inharrime, Morrumbene, Homoine, Panda, Maxixe, Massinga and Vilanculo as well as further south, in Gaza province, Bilene, Chokwe, Guija and Manjacaze districts.
South Africa will start to experience the rain from this tropical system on Thursday over the Lowveld, spreading westwards by Friday. Disaster management teams have been activated in both KwaZulu-Natal and in the Kruger National Park.
At a media briefing about the cyclone on Wednesday, 15 February, KZN’s Cooperative Governance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube said that the province’s disaster management teams are on full alert for storms and floods that may come from the approaching tropical cyclone on Thursday and Friday, 16 and 17 February.
Dube-Ncube said that the uMkhanyakude and Zululand districts, especially, were to take all alerts and warnings seriously.
Disaster management teams had also been communicating with various community forums to ensure message about the approaching cyclone gets out to residents in time. “This is not to make people panic,” Dube-Ncube says, “but to be aware of possibilities of the weather situation”.
Kruger National Park spokesperson William Mabasa told Traveller24, “The cyclone will possibly hit the whole park as it is. Visitors who are in the Park on Friday and Saturday must take precautions and stay in the camps if it rains.”
Visitors in distress can also call the emergency centre numbers 013 735 0197 or 076 801 9679.
“The same numbers can be used by those who are planning to come to the park to enquire about the situation in case it rains. Most of the areas in the park do not have cell phone coverage therefore social media such FB can also assist in such cases by posting on our SANParks Kruger page.”
What to do if you are in an area being directly affected by a tropical cyclone
Natalie Tenzer-Silva, Director at Dana Tours in Mozambique says that while the actual impact of natural occurrences such as, cyclone Dineo, can only be observed during and after, there are a few basic preparations to ensure the safety of residents and travellers.
– Keep informed by listening to the radio for updates and advice
– Disconnect appliances
– Stay inside well clear of windows, sheltering in the strongest part of the house (internal hallway, bathroom or cellar)
– Keep an emergency kit with you that includes things like first aid supplies, torch, battery operated portable radio, important documents and medicines.
– If possible stay in secure shelter
– Do not assume that the eye of the cyclone means the danger has passed – wait for the ‘all clear’
– Stay in your vehicle if caught on the road, with the car handbrake on and parked well clear of trees, power lines and possible flooding
– Never drive, ride or walk in floodwaters
– Fill buckets, sinks and baths with water in case the water supply becomes restricted.
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