The South African Weather Service (SAWS) assured citizens that Tropical Storm Gombe will, in all likelihood, not affect parts of the country close to Mozambique.
Tropical storm Gombe to hit landfall in Mozambique
This week promises to be a harsh experience for residents of northern Mozambique, after the tropical cyclone made landfall on Tuesday.
The torrential weather system, according to early readings, will be sustained in the neighbouring region, and even worse, strengthened by “the warm sea surface temperatures (SST) combined with moisture from the ocean.”
Gombe will likely reach tropical intensity by Friday 11 March 2022 and briefly make landfall in northern Mozambique but, according to the SA Weather Service, this will be short-lived “as currently Gombe is once again expected to enter the Mozambique Channel by Sunday (13 March 2022).”
As things stand, Tropical Storm Gombe should not pose any threats to South Africa.
“At this stage, Gombe poses no direct threat to South Africa. South Africans can be assured that the South African Weather Service will continue to closely the situation and issue updates as and when necessary.
“The South African Weather Service will continue to closely monitor developments in this regard and will issue updates as and when necessary,” the weather authority said.
Are tropical cyclones deadly?
Tropical cyclones, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), “are one of the biggest threats to life and property even in the formative stages of their development.”
Storm surges, flooding, extreme winds, tornadoes and thunderstorms are some of the characteristics of this torrential weather system.
“Combined, these hazards interact with one another and substantially increase the potential for loss of life and material damage,” the WMO writes.
Reports suggest tropical cyclones claimed more than 1 300 lives in 2021.