Another cyclone may hit Mozambique

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Another cyclone may hit Mozambique

6:35 CAT | 17 Jan 2021

Picture: Twitter / @jnmet

Another tropical cyclone has formed in the western Indian Ocean and might hit the central Mozambican coast in about a week’s time – although it must first pass over Madagascar.

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC), operated by the United States Navy, Cyclone Eloise was located on Sunday morning about 538 nautical miles (978 kilometres) north-northeast of Mauritius, and was moving westwards at a speed of 12 knots (22 kilometres an hour).

On its current course, Eloise is projected to make landfall on the northeastern coast of Madagascar on Wednesday morning, generating winds of over 90 kilometres an hour.

The storm will cut across northern Madagascar and could enter the Mozambique Channel some time on Thursday night.

Cyclones lose strength over land, so its passage through Madagascar will slow Eloise down. Nonetheless, if it reaches the open waters of the Mozambique Channel, it is likely to re-intensify and head towards the Mozambican coast. The JTWC estimates the likely wind speed in the Mozambique Channel at 40 knots (74 kilometres an hour).

Moderate TS #Eloise has developed north of the #Mascarene Islands and can reach severe TS intensity before striking #Madagascar late Tuesday or Wednesday. Storm may eventually impact #Mozambique toward next weekend. pic.twitter.com/0p6QL79jhn

— Jason Nicholls (@jnmet) January 17, 2021