Home » CYCLONE UPDATES Pics & Videos: Dineo Storms into Mozambique; High Alert for Floods in Kruger, South Africa

CYCLONE UPDATES Pics & Videos: Dineo Storms into Mozambique; High Alert for Floods in Kruger, South Africa

Cyclone Dineo has stormed into Mozambique bringing 170km / hour winds which are expected to reach 200km /hour. The cyclone has already ruthlessly ravaged beautiful parts of Inhambane uprooting trees and blo and residents are being evacuated as the situation is expected to worsen overnight. (UPDATE Thursday 16 February, Cyclone Dineo Downgraded as heads to […]

By SAPeople
17-02-17 00:31
in Eish!

Cyclone Dineo has stormed into Mozambique bringing 170km / hour winds which are expected to reach 200km /hour. The cyclone has already ruthlessly ravaged beautiful parts of Inhambane uprooting trees and blo and residents are being evacuated as the situation is expected to worsen overnight. (UPDATE Thursday 16 February, Cyclone Dineo Downgraded as heads to South Africa – click here.)

Photo: FB/Tiffy Myburgh‎

Strong winds and rains have also been experienced in Maputo, and – according to a senior reporter at TV Mozambique –  an evacuation process is underway in Inhambane, and people are urged to move to safer places.

If you are in the area, the South African High Commission in Maputo is very helpful. Please seek help. See details below.

The cyclone is moving west towards South Africa where a special team – comprising the Police, Army, Traffic and Emergency services – is on high alert. Residents in Limpopo are advised to listen out for warnings and stay safe. Swaziland is also on high alert.

If you are in Mozambique:

Telephone for SA Embassy in Mozambique: +258 21 243 000
In case of emergency, call them on: +258 84 304 4600

When can we expect Cyclone Dineo in South Africa?

The storm is likely to hit South Africa mainly overnight Thursday and into the morning hours of Friday the 17th, when heavy rain and local floods can be expected over the entire eastern half of Limpopo, including the Kruger National Park. About 100 to 200mm of rain is expected per day. Please see important tips below on what to do if you are caught in the storm.

How Did Tropical Storm Dineo Get Her Name?

Dineo was named by Botswana’s weather bureau. The cyclone, which started as a Tropical Storm, is a ‘female’. Her Setswana name means ‘gifts’. Tropical storms are assigned a unique name according to a pre-defined alphabetical list, valid for the 2016/2017 tropical storm season in the South-West Indian ocean region. The last such system was called CARLOS. The names are submitted by countries in the region. Two South African names have been accepted for this season – Bransby (a male) and Violet (female). Bransby has already been used.

Cyclone Dineo Storm Pictures & Videos – Mozambique, February 2017

https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/831948050184683520

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What to do if you’re caught in Cyclone Dineo (or any flood or severe storm):

  • Remain indoors if possible.
  • Stay off the roads and avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams.
  • If trapped in flooding in a vehicle, abandon it and climb to higher ground.
  • In the buildings, move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level.
  • Switch off electricity at the supply point to the building.
  • In rural areas protect/relocate animals to a safe place on higher ground.
  • Abandon your home immediately if evacuation is recommended, before access is cut off by flood water.
  • Never drive on a road covered by water. If the vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.
  • Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to recognize flood dangers. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.

Heavy rains hit the Kruger National Park last month, flooding Skukuza Camp Site: