Another cyclone may hit Mozambique

Maputo, 17 Jan (AIM) – Another tropical cyclone has formed in the western Indian Ocean and might hit the central Mozambican coast in about a week’s time – although it must first pass over Madagascar.

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC), operated by the United States Navy, Cyclone Eloise was located on 17 January about 538 nautical miles (978 kilometres) north-northeast of Mauritius, and was moving westwards at a speed of 12 knots (22 kilometres an hour).

On its current course, Eloise is projected to make landfall on the north-eastern coast of Madagascar on 20 January, generating winds of over 90 kilometres an hour.

The storm will cut across northern Madagascar and could enter the Mozambique Channel some time on the night of 21 January.

Cyclones lose strength over land, so its passage through Madagascar will slow Eloise down. Nonetheless, if it reaches the open waters of the Mozambique Channel, it is likely to re-intensify and head towards the Mozambican coast. The JTWC estimates the likely wind speed in the Mozambique Channel at 40 knots (74 kilometres an hour).
(AIM)