The National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) has issued an alert placing northern and central Mozambique in a potentially risky situation owing to the approach of tropical Cyclone Chido, which could begin to affect the national territory from Saturday.
The weather phenomenon intensified on Wednesday morning, reaching category 3 on the tropical cyclone scale, which runs from 1 to 5, representing very strong winds and the potential to cause significant damage. According to the authorities, conditions in the system continue to evolve, with signs that the cyclone could gain even more intensity in the coming days.
The latest projections indicate that Cyclone Chido should begin to affect the coastal and inland region of Madagascar as early as Friday, before crossing the Mozambique Channel. According to INAM, there is a "strong possibility" that the weather system will cross northern Madagascar and head for the channel from 14 December. If the forecasts are confirmed, northern areas and part of central Mozambique could suffer the cyclone’s direct impacts, such as heavy rain, destructive winds and possible flooding.
INAM recommends that people in the potentially affected regions stay alert to weather updates and take preventive measures. The authorities continue to monitor the cyclone’s path and intensity, in order to mitigate the risks and protect citizens’ safety.
This warning reinforces the need for coordination between communities, local authorities and relief organisations, in order to prepare effective responses to a weather event that is expected to be large in scale.
