Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The tropical storm Eloise is captivating millions of people’s attention, as it evolves and threatens to wreak havoc throughout the country.
Météo-France stated Eloise had been evolving since Wednesday afternoon, 20 January 2021. While the storm was still on land on Thursday, 21 January 2021, but near Madagascar’s northwest coast, it was already showing signs of re-intensification.
As Eloise gathers steam, SA Weather Services (SAWS) reported the storm is expected to intensify as it enters the warm waters of the Mozambique Channel. According to SAWS, Eloise is expected to reach Intense Tropical Cyclone intensity on Saturday, 23 January 2021, just before making landfall around Vilankulos, Mozambique, that evening.
The weather agency says the tropical storm is expected to cause landfall, storm surge, excessive rain and cause destructive winds (166 – 213 km/h) along the Mozambique coastline and adjacent interior.
Following this, Eloise is expected to track further south-westwards, towards the border of South Africa and Mozambique. SAWS says while overland, weakening is expected to occur, extreme rainfall is still expected over southern Mozambique, the eastern escarpment of Limpopo, Mpumalanga provinces, and Northern KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, 24 January 2021—continuing into Monday, 25 January 2021.
The possible impact as a result of this rain, according to SAWS, includes widespread flooding, damage to roads and bridges, as well as displacement of affected communities.
With the threat of Eloise damaging NKZN, SAWS stresses, “It is important to note that the accurate prediction of the track (or path) of tropical weather disturbances is very challenging indeed. Tropical weather systems are notorious for their often erratic and unpredictable movement.”
As this topic develops the Newcastillian – Online News will keep you posted.
Share your thoughts below.
One Response
Pray that it will turn away from South Africa in Jesus name