Tropical cyclone Filipo has triggered an unprecedented level of alertness among emergency responders, as the torrential system sweeps across parts of South Africa, on Wednesday.
National Disaster Management Centre closely monitoring tropical cyclone ‘Filipo’
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In a statement, COGTA Minister Thembi Nkadimeng confirmed emergency responders in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal are on high alert as tropical cyclone Filipo makes its way toward the Indian Ocean, following a devastating landfall in Mozambique, on Tuesday evening.
The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has been tasked with coordinating a comprehensive response effort, engaging with various stakeholders to safeguard affected communities.
In a bid to streamline the flow of information and resources, the National Joint Floods Coordination Committee (NJFCC) convened, on Tuesday, to ensure that preparedness and response measures were ready to be effectively activated in anticipation of the storm’s impact.
“The Contingency arrangements have been activated in the national provincial and local spheres. All structures and stakeholders will remain on high alert to support the [three] provinces at risk,” the ministry assured.
Tropical cyclone ‘Filipo’ expected to impact these parts of South Africa
The trajectory of tropical cyclone Filipo suggests significant weather events for the lowveld regions of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, including the iconic Kruger National Park and coastal areas extending northwards from Richards Bay.
The unique geography of these regions may exacerbate the effects of the storm, with orographically-induced heavy rains likely to cause flooding in major rivers and surrounding areas.
As the storm is expected to dissipate by Thursday, the focus remains on mitigating its effects through timely and coordinated response efforts.
Here are some of the videos showing the cyclone’s impact on Wednesday:
Facts about cyclones you probably didn’t know
Cyclones, known for their destructive potential, are complex natural phenomena driven by warm ocean waters and atmospheric conditions.
Interestingly, the term “cyclone” refers to any spinning storm that rotates around a low-pressure centre; the distinction between hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones is largely geographical.
Moreover, the energy released by a large cyclone can exceed the electricity consumption of several countries combined, highlighting the immense power of these natural events.
Another lesser-known fact is that cyclones play a crucial role in regulating global climate patterns by redistributing heat and moisture across the planet.
