Heavy rainfall predicted for Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KZN

Updated weather models and information about cyclone Eloise are suggesting the possibility of widespread flooding, damage to roads and bridges, as well as the possible displacement of affected communities in the northern and eastern parts of South Africa, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

Heavy rainfall predicted for Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KZN
Cyclone Eloise, which is predicted to make landfall near Beira in the north of Mozambique this weekend of 23 and 24 January, may result in flooding in parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
Photo: Météo-France
- Advertisement -

Updated weather models and information about cyclone Eloise are suggesting the possibility of widespread flooding, damage to roads and bridges, as well as the possible displacement of affected communities in the northern and eastern parts of South Africa, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

According to weather information website windy.com, the system was expected make landfall near Beira in Mozambique.

“It seems there [will be] possible widespread flooding, damage to roads and bridges, as well as possible displacement of affected communities in [areas in] the Lowveld and escarpment of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa,” the SAWS said.

- Advertisement -

SAWS added that the weather system was expected to move on to Gauteng and North West, which should also receive some rainfall on Monday and Tuesday of the week of 25 January.

“We do not have any warnings associated with the cyclone as yet, but people along the east coast are advised to keep up with the coastal alerts issued by the weather service as there might be some strong to gale force winds and high seas by the end of the weekend going into Monday,” the SAWS statement said.

According to Meteo France La Reunion, as of Friday, 22 January, the system appeared as follows:

  • Maximum wind speeds estimated at sea of 110 km/h.
  • Maximum estimated gusts at sea of 155 km/h.
  • Estimated pressure at the center of 986 hPa.
  • Position on Friday, January 22 at 10 am local time at 18.9 South/38.2 East.

The first report on the cyclone was issued by the SAWS on Monday, 18 January when it was located north-east of Madagascar, when it was classified as a “moderate tropical storm” that would develop into a “severe tropical storm” once it hit the island’s coast.

Eloise is the fifth tropical cyclone so far the season, according to Meteo France La Reunion, with severe tropical storm Danilo being the only other system to develop this year, and it did not make landfall.