Regional airline Airlink has suspended all flights to and from Beira and Vilankulos after Tropical Cyclone Gezani made landfall along the Mozambican coast.
The airline announced that the cancellations apply for today, citing safety concerns as severe weather conditions linked to the cyclone affect operations in the region. Airlink warned that further disruptions could occur over the coming days depending on how the weather system develops.
โDue to Tropical Cyclone Gezani impacting the Mozambican coast, Airlink has suspended all flights to and from Beira and Vilankulos for today, with possible disruptions over the coming days, as these conditions affect safe operations,โ the airline said in a statement.
Passengers requiring assistance have been advised to contact the Airlink Reservations Support Desk on +27 (0)11 451 7300 and select option 1 or alternatively liaise with their travel agent.
The airline said it would provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Earlier, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that tropical cyclone Gezani poses no threat to the country at this stage.
The cyclone, according to AFP, has already claimed more than 35 lives and caused devastation in Madagascar’s second-largest city. AFP reported that the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNRGC) on Thursday said it had recorded 35 deaths, while six people remained missing and at least 374 were injured.ย More than 8,800 people were displaced, it said.
SAWS said Gezani, which developed over the south-west Indian Ocean to the east of Madagascar, made landfall over Madagascar as a tropical cyclone on Tuesday afternoon, moving inland.
It weakened to an overland depression before it entered the Mozambique Channel.
The forecaster said when Gezani entered the Mozambique Channel, the system intensified to tropical storm status and then to tropical stage on Thursday, due to favourable environmental conditions.
“Gezani is moving west-southwest and strengthening. Under favourable conditions, Gezani is expected to intensify steadily over the next 36 hours and could reach intense tropical cyclone stage late on Friday evening near the Mozambique coast. The intensity forecast is uncertain from Saturday onwards,” SAWS said.
SAWS warned that the scenario of a Mozambique landfall is uncertain and varies among forecast models.
However, Gezani could closely approach the Mozambican coast, possibly bringing heavy rainfall. This could also impact sea conditions.
“Vessels operating in or transiting through the south-west Indian Ocean and the Mozambique Channel are warned to be wary of rough seas, strong winds and hazardous marine conditions in the vicinity of the storm,” SAWS said.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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