Eloise hit Mozambique as a Cyclone before being reduced to a storm over time. In Mozambique, the cyclone came with powerful winds blowing at 130 kilometers per hour. Casualties were inevitable, and as a result, 9 people lost their lives. Weather forecast evaluations predicted the cyclone will travel through Zimbabwe down to the South Africa region. True to the forecasters’ predictions, cyclone Eloise is already causing havoc in South Africa. Already, 13 people are dead. The storm was nothing short of heavy rainfall and strong winds as well. Buildings can no longer offer shelter, and crops are nowhere to be seen due to the floods.
Effects of the Storm before hitting South Africa
Before storm Eloise could camp in South Africa; its neighboring countries have a story to tell. Destruction of property all the way from Mozambique through Zimbabwe, eSwatini (Swaziland) to Botswana. Moreover, Limpopo makeshift bridge destruction has its people stranded on making travel agendas. Nonetheless, the less risk averting people opt to cross through the Knee-length floodwaters.
eSwatini mourns two nationals while Zimbabwe and Madagascar lose three and one persons, respectively. A South-African family mourns the loss of a five-year-old child after being swept away by the floods. Eloise leaves thousands of people homeless as well. in total, Mozambique has a rough figure of about 8000 people in displacement.
From the weather forecasts, the rains in south Africa are slowly easing up. However, there is still more dangerous, especially in the saturated grounds. The senior weather forecaster at the South African Weather Service, Puseleto Mofokeng, warns of the flooding in the localized regions. Zimbabwe is experiencing an overflow in its dams as a result. Zimbabwe fears floods as a result of the spills from the dams.
Former experiences of previous cyclones
Earlier this year, Mozambique withstood a tropical storm by the name Chalane. Its effects persisted long enough for cyclone Eloise to cause even more damage. Hence, this much explains the rise of the water level in the country following the cyclone. Recalling the year 2019, Cyclone Idai`s destructions could not remain unforgotten.
With effects trickling down to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, more than 3 million felt its effects. Additionally, more than 1000 people died due to the cyclone. Shortly after the cyclone, Kenneth was en route. In recovering from the effects of the previous cyclones, Eloise adds more sorrow to the wounds.
Lessons from the previous cyclones
Once bitten twice shy. The reduction in the death toll from the previous cyclones owes to the community’s level of preparedness. Awareness has been highly effective. As a result, evacuations and warnings are now being taken seriously by the community members. Nonetheless, the humanitarian group in Mozambique is making an effort to assess the damage and initiate a damage control plan.
More:
- Climate Change Impacts Global Temperatures
- Another Storm Set to Hit Central Mozambique
- Tropical Cyclone Eloise Rains Havoc in Mozambique
