Tropical storm Freddy expected to hit Limpopo, Mpumalanga on weekend
After Cyclone Freddy tore through parts of Madagascar on Wednesday, killing four people and affecting 16,600 people, it is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm, and eventually reach South Africa by the weekend.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says it is the storm to hit Mozambique on Friday.
"The relatively compact storm was a low-end category 2 tropical cyclone just before making landfall, with winds of 150 km/h and gusts up to 180km/h. 'Freddy' weakened significantly due to the rugged terrain it encountered and was downgraded to an overland depression during the evening,”
'Freddy’ may yet again reach near tropical cyclone status by Thursday evening while heading to southern Mozambique, making landfall just north of Vilanculos during Friday morning." said SAWS in a statement
The storm is expected to hit the Limpopo regions of Vhembe, Mopani and the eastern regions of Mpumalanga on Saturday.
"It is expected that 'Freddy' will affect the north-eastern parts of South Africa from early Saturday until Monday as the weather system will be semi-stationary along the north-eastern border for a few days,"
"Very heavy rainfall in the order of 200 to 400 mm is possible, and this may result in widespread significant flooding."
Last week the area experienced significant flooding affecting the tourist hub of Kruger National Park.
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