By: Natasha Archary
Cyclone Freddy has claimed the lives of 4 people in Madagascar on Wednesday, 22 February.
As the cyclone makes its way to Mozambique and possibly South Africa by Friday, 24 February, fears are high that more lives will be lost.
According to reports from Madagascar, a 27-year old man drowned at sea due to the rising tide which was exacerbated by the unpredictable wind speeds.
The tropical storm has brought with it raging wind speeds of up to 130km/hr, ripping off roofs and some buildings and flattening trees.
Approximately 16 600 people have been affected in Madagascar so far, and the damage to infrastructure has been predominantly due to the cyclone’s strong winds.
Freddy is expected to make landfall in Mozambique on Thursday, 23 February.
Predictions are that the tropical storm will affect more than 3 million people in Mozambique, Madagascar and Zimbabwe.
The South African Weather Services (SAWS) anticipates that Freddy will affect parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
More information about the impending cyclone will be released by the weather service on Thursday, 23 February.
However, judging from the tropical cyclone’s current projectory indicates that Limpopo and Mpumalanga may be directly affected by Freddy.
SAWS says that while KwaZulu-Natal which is currently being battered by thunderstorms and heavy rains, will not bare the brunt of Freddy, extremely heavy rain is going to affect the Vhembe and Mopani districts in Limpopo and Ehlanzeni in Mpumalanga.
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