Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi: The First Cyclone of 2025 in Madagascar
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi was declared on January 11, 2025, off Madagascar’s coast. The cyclone follows TC Chido, which caused severe damage in December 2024. Dikeledi poses significant risks, including flooding and health hazards, with meteorologists issuing red alerts. Expected to intensify as it moves south, Dikeledi emphasizes the importance of preparedness in facing natural disasters.
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi was officially declared on January 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM AEDT, off the northeastern coast of Madagascar. This cyclone has developed from a tropical storm that persisted for six days in the southwest Indian Ocean. Although Dikeledi marks the first cyclone of 2025, it follows Tropical Cyclone Chido, which caused significant devastation in December 2024. Chido impacted Madagascar and the French island of Mayotte, resulting in catastrophic damage estimated at over $675 million, along with several injuries and 39 reported fatalities.
Current meteorological assessments suggest TC Dikeledi may yield severe consequences despite expectations of it being less potent than TC Chido. Regions including Diana, Sava, and northern Sofia are under red cyclone warnings, with Boeny in a yellow alert and surrounding areas in green alerts. These warnings indicate potential flooding, landslides, and heavy rainfall exceeding totals of 100 mm, as well as sustained winds reaching up to 130 km/h and storm surges over 8 meters along the northeastern coast.
As TC Dikeledi traverses the northern regions of Madagascar, peak winds have been recorded at 140 km/h, with gusts up to 170 km/h. An hourly rainfall rate of 50 mm has been noted, though weather station limitations hinder accurate assessments of total rainfalls in affected sectors. Forecast models predict substantial rainfall accumulation, particularly over northern and eastern coastal regions, potentially exceeding 150 mm within a 24-hour period.
The risk of flooding remains critical, particularly in low-lying areas where drainage is inadequate, leading to flash floods, landslides, and the proliferation of waterborne diseases such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Alerts from organizations such as Save the Children indicate that approximately 22,500 children may face hazards related to injury, illness, or displacement.
TC Dikeledi is expected to maintain its course along Madagascar’s northwest coastline as it enters the Mozambique Channel, where it could intensify into a Category 3 cyclone. Ultimately, it is projected to move southward back into the Indian Ocean. Despite TC Dikeledi’s anticipated lower classification in comparison to TC Chido, it serves as a poignant reminder of the varied definitions of disaster, emphasizing that the impact of a storm is determined not only by its strength but by its widespread effects.
The southwest Indian Ocean cyclone season runs annually from November to April, impacting coastal nations with varying intensities. The occurrence of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi is significant as it is the first cyclone of the new year, arriving shortly after the devastating effects of TC Chido in December 2024. Cyclones in this region can lead to extensive damage, including flooding, loss of life, and economic destruction, underscoring the importance of vigilant meteorological tracking and community preparedness.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi’s development marks a critical point in the southwest Indian Ocean cyclone season of 2025. While it is not expected to match the devastation of TC Chido, local authorities and meteorologists stress the potential for serious impacts, including widespread flooding and health risks in vulnerable populations. Continued monitoring and preparedness measures are integral to mitigating the cyclone’s effects and protecting the affected communities.
Original Source: www.weatherzone.com.au
