Zimbabwe has been spared the impact of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi, which has caused massive destruction in Madagascar and Mozambique.
The National Risk and Disaster Management Programme of Madagascar (BNGRC) reported that the cyclone has claimed three lives and affected more than 7,000 people across the Analanjirofo, Diana, and Sava regions in northern Madagascar. The cyclone destroyed 209 homes and damaged 1,092.
In Mozambique, the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) has confirmed five fatalities, and four injuries, and over 39,000 people affected, with nearly 3,000 homes destroyed.
Meteorologist Baba Maketa of the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) confirmed in an interview with <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/zimbabwe-spared-from-tropical-cyclone-dikeledi/">ZBC News</a> that Cyclone Dikeledi did not make landfall in Zimbabwe. He said:
<blockquote>
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi did come but did not exactly enter into Zimbabwe. It only affected the northern parts of Madagascar and the northeastern parts of Mozambique, but it returned back to the Mozambican Channel and now it is to the south of Madagascar and it is greatly weakened due to the lower temperatures of the oceans that it is now in.
When it came in the Mozambican Channel, especially when it was to the northwest of Madagascar, it drew moisture away from Zimbabwe towards itself and this resulted in dryness over the northern and eastern parts of Zimbabwe.
At the moment it has passed and it has already gone. We can no longer expect anything from it and currently the rains that we’re experiencing are a result of the normal systems that cause rains in Zimbabwe, that is the ITCZ and cloud bends that always cause rains in Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), most of the tropical cyclones that affect Zimbabwe originate from the Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO), near the islands of Mauritius and La Réunion, before spreading into Madagascar and Mozambique.
The MSD noted that the Tropical Cyclone Season, which typically begins around December, started earlier than usual this season, in October 2024.
So far, there have been four tropical cyclones: Ancha, named by the Comoros Islands; Bheki, named by Eswatini; Chido, named by Zimbabwe; and Dikeledi, named by South Africa, representing the letters A, B, C, and D.
However, Cyclones Ancha and Bheki did not reach Mozambique or Zimbabwe, while Cyclone Chido reached Mozambique but did not affect Zimbabwe.
As for Cyclone Dikeledi, it is expected to continue its southwestward trajectory over the sea and may weaken and dissipate between January 17 and 18.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Zimbabwe was lucky as Cyclone Dikeledi missed hitting the country, causing damage in Madagascar and Mozambique instead. In Madagascar, 3 people died, 7,000 were affected, and many homes were destroyed. In Mozambique, 5 died, 39,000 were affected, and 3,000 homes were destroyed. The cyclone did not make landfall in Zimbabwe, as it weakened over the ocean. The cyclone season started early this year with 4 cyclones so far. Cyclone Dikeledi is expected to weaken and disappear soon. Zimbabwe mostly gets affected by cyclones from the Southwest Indian Ocean.

Cyclone Dikeledi's Destructive Path Misses Zimbabwe

Tropical cyclone Dikeledi is moving southwest over the southern Indian Ocean and is forecast to continue on that trajectory, potentially weakening and dissipating on 17-18 January.
According to <a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/madagascar/mozambique-madagascar-tropical-cyclone-dikeledi-update-gdacs-jtwc-noaa-cpc-bngrc-echo-daily-flash-16-january-2025">ReliefWeb</a>, a humanitarian information service provided by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the tropical cyclone has moved almost 200 km west of the southwestern coast of Madagascar.
Following its passage on 11 January in Madagascar and 13-14 January over north-eastern Mozambique, the humanitarian impact is increasing.
The National Risk and Disaster Management Programme of Madagascar (BNGRC) reports that the death toll stands at three, with more than 7,000 people affected across Analanjirofo, Diana and Sava regions in northern Madagascar. 209 houses have been destroyed and 1,092 damaged.
In Mozambique, the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) reports five fatalities, four injured people, and more than 39,000 affected, with almost 3,000 destroyed houses.
Dikeledi is expected to continue its south-westward trajectory over the sea and could weaken and dissipate on 17-18 January.
However, moderate to heavy rain with locally heavy rainfall is expected across most parts of Madagascar (particularly the southern regions) and central-eastern Mozambique on 16-18 January.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi is moving over the ocean and may weaken by January 17-18. It already caused damage in Madagascar and Mozambique. In Madagascar, 3 people died, 7,000 affected, 209 houses destroyed, and 1,092 damaged. In Mozambique, 5 died, 4 injured, 39,000 affected, and almost 3,000 houses destroyed. Although Dikeledi is getting weaker, more rain is expected in Madagascar and Mozambique. So, people need to be careful.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi Weakening, But Leaves Trail Of Destruction In Madagascar And Mozambique

Severe Tropical Storm Dikeledi struck the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte over the weekend, causing flooding and mudslides, just one month after Cyclone Chido devastated large parts of the islands and left dozens dead.
According to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05lg8dd6epo">BBC</a>, the archipelago was placed on the highest state of alert as Dikeledi passed by on Sunday morning. Authorities warned of violent winds, flash floods, and landslides.
Videos on social media showed downed power lines and some flooding. Local TV reported that the southern village of Mbouini, the only settlement left untouched by Cyclone Chido, was underwater.
Dikeledi made landfall in northern Madagascar on Saturday, killing at least three people.
The storm passed approximately 100 km south of Mayotte around 09:00 GMT on Sunday, according to forecaster Météo-France.
François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, told French news channel BFMTV that it was likely the island would remain on red alert until Monday evening since heavy rain was expected to continue even after the storm had passed.
According to BFMTV, at least 14,500 people have taken refuge in emergency shelters set up to protect them from the storm.
As of Sunday afternoon, the storm was moving away from Mayotte, Météo-France reported. The system is expected to slowly intensify over the next 24 hours to tropical cyclone status while approaching the coast of Mozambique.
The current forecast does not predict landfall in Mozambique, but the Nampula region is still expected to experience “very degraded conditions,” the forecaster said.
Mozambique is also recovering from Cyclone Chido, which killed 120 people in the country.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A big storm called Tropical Storm Dikeledi hit Mayotte and Madagascar. It caused floods and landslides. Dikeledi killed 3 people in Madagascar. Mayotte was put on high alert because of strong winds and floods. People had to go to shelters to stay safe. The storm is moving away from Mayotte but may get stronger near Mozambique. More bad weather is expected in Mozambique, which is still recovering from another cyclone that killed many people. The storm is not predicted to hit Mozambique directly, but the area will still be affected.

Tropical Storm Dikeledi Devastates Mayotte, Kills 3 In Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi is tracking westward toward northern Madagascar as of January 11. By midday, its centre was located approximately 817 km (508 miles) north-northeast of Antananarivo, Madagascar.
According to <a href="https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2025/01/indian-ocean-tropical-cyclone-dikeledi-tracking-westward-toward-northern-madagascar-jan-11-update-2">Crisis24</a>, forecast models indicate the system will make landfall near the border of Diana and Sava regions, Madagascar, in the coming hours before passing over the northern tip of the country.
The storm Dikeledi is then forecast to weaken into a severe tropical storm as it tracks west-southwestward into the Mozambique Channel late January 11.
The tropical system is forecast to remain a severe tropical storm as it turns to track southwestwards and passes south of Mayotte on January 12.
It is then expected to strengthen back into a tropical cyclone as it turns to track southwards over the Mozambique Channel between eastern Mozambique and western Madagascar on January 13-14.
The system is then expected to weaken back into a severe tropical storm as it turns to track southeastward and passes close to southwestern Madagascar January 15-16.
However, some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes may occur in the coming hours and days.
Potential Impacts:
<ul>
<li>Flooding, river flooding, and landslides in northern Madagascar.</li>
<li>Strong winds up to 130 kph (81 mph) and rainfall over 10 cm (4 inches).</li>
<li>Coastal flooding is possible due to swells over 8 meters (26 feet).</li>
<li>Advisories for maritime users to avoid the sea.</li>
<li>Possible localized business, transport, and utility disruptions.</li>
<li>Increased risk of insect- and waterborne diseases like dengue fever, cholera, and malaria.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi is moving towards Madagascar. It will hit the Diana and Sava regions before weakening into a severe tropical storm. It will then pass over Mayotte and strengthen back into a cyclone. There might be flooding, strong winds, and coastal flooding. People are advised to stay away from the sea. Businesses, transport, and utilities may be disrupted. Diseases like dengue fever, cholera, and malaria may spread. The path and impact of the cyclone are uncertain and may change.

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