Cyclone Dineo has made landfall and several Southern African countries should brace for heavy rainfall during the next few days.

The storm hit the Mozambican coast at Inhambane yesterday afternoon, bringing with it strong winds of over 100km/hr, and torrential rain of between 100mm and 200mm or more, said the South African Weather Service(SAWS).

Southern Mozambique and the eastern parts of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia can expect more rain between 16 February and 22 February, according to the latest African Hazards Outlook (AHO) released by the American National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These areas can expect more than 150 mm into next week.

The storm will lose some of its vigour today but high rainfall is still expected in its pathway.

There is a high possibility of flooding caused by run-off because persistent rain in these areas since late December has saturated the soil. “With wet conditions the risk remains high for additional floods throughout Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia,” said an AHO statement.

High water levels have been observed along the Limpopo, Save, Buzi, Pungue and the Zambezi River.

The SAWS has issued a flood warning for tonight in northern Mpumalanga and north eastern Limpopo.

North-western Namibia and south-western Angola remain dry.
The rest of the region can expect normal seasonal rainfall for the next few days.