Update for this Monday, January 13, 2025:
Cyclone Dikeledi is approaching Mozambique in category 1/5. It passed yesterday about 100 km south of the Mayotte archipelago, which maintains stormy weather in a northeasterly sector flow at the rear. In a very difficult context on site, vigilance remains active due to the risk of runoff and flooding. However, the overall trend is towards less severe weather. Wind gusts are still blowing between 70 and 80 km/h this Monday afternoon.
DIKELEDI: a cyclone less powerful than CHIDO
This cyclone is much less powerful than Chido which swept Mayotte as a major cyclone (cat. 4/5) on December 14 and 15 and caused winds of more than 250 km/h and nearly 200 mm of rain in 24 hours. Dikeledi is a less powerful cyclone (cat. 1/5). After crossing northern Madagascar on Saturday, this cyclone is changing its trajectory towards the south and the Mozambique Channel.
The cyclone moves away from Mayotte
This Monday morning Dikeledi passes southwest of Mayotte, approximately 100 km southeast of the island's coast.
Strong winds, heavy rain
Although the wind was less violent than when CHIBO passed, still reaching nearly 100 km/h, and did not constitute too much of an aggravating factor, the intensity of the rains was significant.
Indeed, accumulations of more than 150 mm fell locally on Mayotte on Sunday, leading to new floods and landslides.
From Monday, DIKELEDI is expected to move southwards from the Mozambique Channel to the rank of cyclone, strengthening into category 2/5. Currently, it is expected to pass off the coast of Mozambique.
