The track of Cyclone Freddy (black line) and its forecasted track (red line)
* The exact landing position is not certain but is likely to be between Beira and Nampula
* It does not pose direct threat to Malawi but it is indirectly inducing influx of Congo air mass into the country
By Duncan Mlanjira
Malawi’s Department of Climate Change & Meteorological Services reported on Monday evening that projections analyzed on Cyclone Freddy maintain a very high chance that it will return and make a second landfall over Mozambique by Friday.
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The report says “the exact landing position is not certain but is likely to be between Beira and Nampula” and that after the landfall, “there is also a chance of the cyclone to move to southern Malawi”.
As of Monday, Cyclone Freddy turned towards West and is later expected to take the northwesterly trajectory moving at a speed of 7km/h away from the coast of Madagascar — heading towards Mozambique coast with an estimated maximum wind speed of 130 km/h.
The Met Department however says the Cyclone, that has been classified as severe tropical storm “does not pose direct threat to Malawi but it is indirectly inducing influx of Congo air mass into the country.
“However, the direct effects (heavy rainfall associated with strong winds) over southern Malawi are anticipated from Friday after the cyclone makes landfall over Mozambique coast.
“Be on alert and avoid crossing flooded waters and streams at all times as the threat of flash flooding remains high over Lakeshore and some northern and central areas as locally heavy rains persist.
“The southern Malawi is cautioned on heavy rainfall associated with strong winds from Friday. Therefore, Malawians are reminded to inspect the strength of buildings and structures.
“Unblocking waterways and drainages is paramount. Flood prone areas in southern Malawi to be on alert.”
The Department assures the public that it will continue to monitor the movement and strength of Cyclone Freddy “for any possible changes on its impacts on Malawi weather, which will be communicated to the nation accordingly.
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Tropical Cyclone Freddy was initially reported on February 21 by the United Nations (UN) department of safety & security in Zambia, saying it was to threaten crossing into Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique but it finally made its landfall on February 24 in south of the city of Vilanculos in Mozambique (Inhambane Province).
But Malawi’s Met Department swiftly assured the public that it was also monitoring the cyclone’s movement and strength — adding that it had no impact on Malawi weather.
The Met Department kept issuing daily updates as the cyclone weakened considerably as it crossed over Madagascar towards the Mozambique Channel up to its landing near Beira on the coast of Mozambique.
For further information, the public is advised to contact:
The Director; Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services; P.O. Box 1808; Blantyre
Tel:( 265) 882 266 579
Email: metdept@metmalawi.gov.mw
Web: www.metmalawi.gov.mw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malawi.weather
WhatsApp: +265 995 155 050
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