The National Meteorological Institute (INAM) reported this Monday, 18 November, that tropical cyclone Bheki has evolved to category 3 and is now classified as an Intense Tropical Cyclone.
According to Radio Moçambique, despite this intensification, INAM clarified that, for the time being, the phenomenon does not represent a danger for the country.
According to a statement from the organisation, the cyclone has maximum winds of up to 180 km/h and is moving towards the southwest of the island of Madagascar at a speed of 16 km/h. Although it has reached a higher category, the institute assured that the storm does not yet pose a risk to the Mozambique Channel or the mainland of the country.
INAM also emphasised that it is continuing to monitor the cyclone’s evolution and asked the population to pay attention to the meteorological information and warnings issued by the competent authorities. However, it assured that it will update data on the storm as it evolves.
The atmospheric system, which initially formed as a moderate tropical storm east of the island of Madagascar, has evolved to category 3, but remains far from the areas closest to Mozambique, and is not expected to directly affect the national territory.