Mozambique: Cyclone Gombe no longer a threat – AIM report

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Mozambique: Cyclone Gombe no longer a threat – AIM report

7:46 CAT | 14 Mar 2022

Photo: Domingo

Tropical cyclone Gombe is now dissipating over southern Malawi, and no longer poses a threat to Mozambique, according to the latest report from the US navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC).

The cyclone hit the coast of the northern province of Nampula on Friday morning with winds of 200 kilometres an hour, and gusts of 240 kilometres an hour. Severe damage was done to coastal districts, notably to Mozambique Island, which had once been the country’s capital under colonial rule.

But cyclones lose strength over land, and as Gombe approached Nampula city, its intensity declined.

It also changed course. Earlier forecasts were that Gombe would turn to the south-east, and swing through Zambezia province, before re-entering the Mozambique Channel. But in fact, the cyclone moved to the southwest and entered Malawi. Its windspeed declined to 25 knots (about 46 kilometres an hour).

By Saturday evening, the storm system was about 220 kilometres south-east of the Malawian capital, Lilongwe, and, according to the JTWC, “satellite imagery showed a rapidly weakening system”.

The known death toll from Gombe is 11, according to the Nampula provincial governor, Manuel Rodrigues. Five died in the fishing town of Angoche, two in Mozambique Island, two in Nampula city, and one in Monapo district.

Throughout coastal Nampula, Gombe made roads impassable, and knocked out telecommunications and electricity supplies.

According to a Saturday release from the electricity company, EDM, 15 districts were without power, affecting over 154,000 EDM clients. The local EDM delegate, Eduardo Pinto, said it would be “premature” to announce when electricity would be restored.

But he stressed “We have sent teams to all fronts to work on restoring power as quickly as possible in all districts”.

Source: AIM