Mozambique braces for 'worst cyclone of the season'

Jose Tembe

Tropical Cyclone Gombe is expected to hit northern Mozambique on Thursday evening or Friday morning, with gusts of wind in excess of 100mph (160km/h) and very heavy rainfalls.

It has been upgraded from a tropical storm to a tropical cyclone because of its wind speeds.

The authorities say it could be the most severe weather system to hit the country this season.

The provinces of Cabo Delgado, Zambézia, Sofala and Nampula are on alert - the last of which is already suffering torrential rains and strong winds in the area of Ilha de Moçambique.

Eighteen boats and seven mobile bridges deployed during January's Tropical Storm Ana are ready for use, says Mozambique's disaster relief body INGD.

INGD spokeswoman Luísa Meque adds that food and non-food items have also been pre-positioned in strategic locations.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Nasa