The National Institute of Meteorology (INAM), revealed on Wednesday, February 22, that the intense tropical cyclone Freddy, may weaken in the Mozambique channel and become a severe tropical storm, with winds of 120 km/hour.
“The forecast is that this system will enter Mozambique in the early hours of the 24th of this month. It could enter as a severe tropical depression or as a category three tropical cyclone. At the moment, we are mapping the areas of entry, we believe that it should enter through the belt, between Govuro and Vilankulo, and even through Massinga, in Inhambane province,” the institution detailed in a statement.
According to meteorologists, the phenomenon will cause a lot of rain in the provinces of Maputo and Gaza, where about 250,000 people are expected to be affected, adding that the cyclone will be almost stationary in the region until March 28 or 1.
“There are areas that will be affected by rains of more than 300 millimeters, during 24 hours, as well as there are areas that will register more than 400 millimeters of precipitation,” he said.
On Tuesday, February 21, the Mozambican government declared a state of red alert, in order to ensure that people affected by “Freddy” are assisted with greater agility and without constraints.