The Mozambican National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) has warned that Tropical Storm Gezani is expected to strengthen into a full tropical cyclone before making landfall in Inhambane province on Friday.
In a statement on Thursday, INAM said Gezani – currently in the Mozambique Channel – has already intensified into a severe tropical storm, generating average winds of 100 km/h and gusts of up to 150 km/h.
Forecast models show the system strengthening further, with winds potentially reaching 140 km/h and gusts of up to 240 km/h as it approaches the Mozambican coast.
The warning comes as the storm continues its destructive path across the region.
At least 36 people were killed in Madagascar earlier this week when Gezani struck the port city of Toamasina with force before weakening over land.
Mozambican authorities now expect the system to regain intensity over warm channel waters.
INAM projects that Inhambane province will bear the brunt of the impact, with rainfall exceeding 200 mm, while heavy rains are also forecast for parts of Sofala and Gaza provinces, raising concerns about flooding, infrastructure damage and displacement in areas already vulnerable to extreme weather.
Mozambique remains one of the countries most exposed to tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean basin, with storms such as Idai, Kenneth and Freddy causing widespread devastation in recent years.
JN/APA