Tropical Cyclone Freddy churned off the coast of Madagascar and is expected to make landfall for the second time in Mozambique.
This after it struck Madagascar for the second time on Monday.
Freddy, packing winds of up to 190km/h, is expected to make landfall in Mozambique on Sunday.
Record
The tropical storm, which has already brought heavy rains and havoc to African nations in its path, appears to have become the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever on record and it continues to gain strength.
Watch, Cyclone Freddy lives on
Freddy has already broken records for the strength it has accumulated and the 8 000km path it travelled across the Indian Ocean.
Devastation
The storm first wreaked havoc in south-eastern Africa in late February, killing at least 21 people and displacing thousands in both Madagascar and Mozambique.
Will SA be hit?
Speaking to The Citizen, South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecaster Jan Vermeulen said Tropical Cyclone Freddy is unlikely to hit South Africa.
“It has redeveloped over the southern parts of the Mozambique channel and is now moving in a north-westerly direction and we do expect it to vary between severe tropical storm and a tropical cyclone.”
“After that, indications are that it will be moving towards to the Malawi area. No, its not going to affect South Africa at this stage, but we will keep on monitoring it,” Vermulen said.
ALSO READ: WATCH: SA warned that Tropical Cyclone Freddy may hit parts of the country
SA Weather to be affected
However, Vermeulen said Freddy is likely to affect South Africa’s weather pattern.
“When the cyclone is in the channel, but moves to the northern parts – it means that because of circulation, it causes to the west of it a high-pressure system resulting in warm to hot weather.”
“It is going to affect our weather, especially Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng,” Vermulen said.
Precautions
Vermulen has urged people to take precautions against the hot weather, especially in Gauteng after the heavy downpours.
“Drink a lot of fluids, stay indoors and in cool places to avoid heat exhaustion,” Vermulen said.
ALSO READ: Level 2 warning: Severe thunderstorms to hit parts of Western Cape
