The ManicaPost
Kenneth is the first tropical cyclone with the equivalent of hurricane strength to strike Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado since modern record-keeping.
Kenneth underwent rapid strengthening at midweek with its strength equal to a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific oceans just prior to landfall.
The dangerous cyclone made landfall in Cabo Delgado, between Palma and Pemba, during the late afternoon hours of Thursday, local time.
Prior to reaching Mozambique, Kenneth killed three people in the island nation of Comoros on Wednesday night.
Areas near and just inland of this landfall location are facing destructive winds, flooding rainfall and mudslides.
The latter two dangers will persist well after the cyclone moves onshore.
A storm surge of 2-4 meters (6,5-13 feet) is expected near and just south of where Kenneth makes landfall.
This surge, combined with tides and rough surf, can lead to life-threatening flooding.
“At least 700 000 people are at risk within the region of Cabo Delgado if this storm makes landfall as forecasted,” said Marc Nosbach, CARE Mozambique’s country director.
“Aside from storm damage, the greatest risk will immediately be from flooding due to heavy rains. Rivers within this region of Mozambique may flood, especially as at least one of the dams is already close to full capacity, preventing flood water from being retained. This will make it almost impossible to distribute aid as roads will become impassable,” he explained.
After making landfall, Kenneth may stall or meander over areas just inland from the coast in Cabo Delgado through this weekend.
While interaction with land will cause the destructive winds accompanying Kenneth to rapidly lessen, torrential rainfall will continue.
“A flooding disaster can unfold in Cabo Delgado with widespread rainfall totals in excess of 250 mm (10 inches) with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 1,000 mm (40 inches),” according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski. — Accuweather.com.
