Residents in the Mozambican port city of Inhambane are reinforcing their homes ahead of Cyclone Gezani's expected arrival on Friday. The storm recently caused significant damage in Madagascar, killing at least 40 people. Local authorities have imposed restrictions on sailing to ensure safety.
Inhambane, a port city in Mozambique, is on high alert as Cyclone Gezani approaches. Residents are taking proactive measures, such as placing sandbags on roofs to protect against intense winds and barricading windows with sheets of corrugated iron. The cyclone is anticipated to pass close to the city starting from Friday afternoon before heading back into the Mozambique Channel, according to Mozambique’s weather service.
The storm first struck Madagascar earlier this week, resulting in at least 40 deaths and major damage to Toamasina, the island's second-largest city. Mozambique, a Southern African nation prone to weather-related disasters that scientists attribute to climate change, is still recovering from recent severe flooding. That event impacted more than 700,000 people and damaged over 170,000 homes, as reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Local authorities have restricted sailing in the area, prompting fishermen to stay ashore. Fisherman Jaime Neto explained, “All sailors were informed that there will be strong winds and a cyclone. Today is our turn to fish but we are not doing it.” These preparations aim to mitigate the potential devastating effects of the cyclone on the community.
