Tropical Storm Dikeledi Moves Away from Mayotte, Leaving Casualties in Madagascar
Tropical storm Dikeledi has moved away from Mayotte after causing deadly flash floods in Madagascar, resulting in three deaths and affecting over 900 individuals. The storm, previously a cyclone, heightened concerns in Mayotte following recent devastation from December’s cyclone. Mobilization of emergency services and shelter centers has occurred as the storm is expected to reintensify soon.
On Sunday, tropical storm Dikeledi receded from the French territory of Mayotte after unleashing heavy rains that resulted in three fatalities in Madagascar. The storm initially impacted the northern coast of Madagascar as a cyclone before it was downgraded to a severe tropical storm. At 3:36 PM local time, Dikeledi was reported to be 160 kilometers south of Mayotte, moving away from the Indian Ocean island, according to Meteo-France. The French territory had been placed under red alert due to the storm’s anticipated effects.
Dikeledi’s approach follows closely after a detrimental cyclone in December that claimed at least 39 lives and injured over 5,600 individuals in Mayotte, which is France’s poorest overseas department.
The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) in Madagascar announced that the northern province of Antsiranana experienced the brunt of the storm’s impact, with more than 900 individuals affected by the torrential rains. In Mayotte, winds reached 80-90 kilometers per hour, particularly in the southern region. The archipelago’s population is officially around 320,000, but includes an additional undocumented population estimated between 100,000 and 200,000. Many of these individuals reside in precarious shanty towns destroyed by the December cyclone.
Concerns about Dikeledi’s potential devastation were voiced by local residents, who recalled the impacts of the earlier cyclone. The villages of Mbouini and Pamandzi reported severe flooding, with residents attempting to repair roofs damaged by rain even while facing a red alert. Authorities mobilized over 4,000 personnel, including law enforcement and military aid, establishing 80 shelters for an estimated 14,500 individuals. Despite the alerts, reports indicated some locals were seen outside, taking advantage of the rain for personal tasks.
As of now, Dikeledi is expected to regain cyclone strength in the next few days as it shifts direction towards the southeast. Heavy rainfall is anticipated in the Comoros, and the storm may approach the coast of Mozambique’s Nampula province on Monday.
Tropical storms and cyclones frequently affect regions in the Indian Ocean, leading to severe weather conditions that can result in significant fatalities and damage, particularly in vulnerable territories like Mayotte and Madagascar. Recent events highlight the compounding threats these environments face. The severity of Dikeledi and its path, especially following the residual effects of a recent cyclone in December, raises concerns about ongoing weather phenomena in these areas. The geography and societal structures of Mayotte, including informal settlements, exacerbate the risks and consequences of such storms.
In summary, tropical storm Dikeledi has moved away from Mayotte but has left a tragic toll in Madagascar, notably three fatalities and numerous affected individuals. The storm’s trajectory illustrates the heightened vulnerability of the region to severe weather, especially following a record cyclone less than a month prior. Ongoing risks remain as the storm is projected to intensify again, drawing attention to the impacts of climate change and the need for effective disaster preparedness in the affected regions.
Original Source: www.cbs19news.com
