Tropical Cyclone Gezani Intensifies

Tropical Cyclone Gezani has intensified into an intense tropical cyclone and continues to advance towards the Malagasy coast.

The Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said Gezani was located about 75 kilometres east of the city of Toamasina (Tamatave), which is expected to be directly hit by the cyclone’s most intense section, the eyewall, on Tuesday evening between 6 pm and 7 pm.

The cyclone is forecast to weaken gradually as it crosses Madagascar before re-entering the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday evening, likely as a tropical depression or a moderate tropical storm. However, further strengthening is expected thereafter.

Meteorologists said the system could regain tropical cyclone strength by Friday as it follows a south-westerly track.

While a landfall along the Mozambican coast between Friday evening and Saturday remains possible, it is still uncertain.

Meanwhile, Mozambique’s National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) said on Monday that forecast models showed Gezani moving into the Mozambique Channel and potentially approaching the country’s coastline as a tropical cyclone by Wednesday, with wind speeds of up to 120km/h.

INAM director Dorival Mutereda warned that coastal districts in the provinces of Sofala, Inhambane and Gaza could be affected by strong winds and heavy rainfall. He said:

“This system has the potential to approach the coast of Mozambique as a Tropical Cyclone, potentially affecting the coastal districts of the provinces of Sofala, Inhambane, and Gaza, with average winds of 120 kilometres per hour, gusts up to 140 kilometres per hour, and heavy rainfall.

“We will continue to monitor the development of this system.”

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