Intense Tropical Cyclone Kenneth has made landfall in northern Mozambique this evening.
Earlier this morning, Kenneth rapidly intensified with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115 knots (213 km/h or 132 mph). This is equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
The maximum sustained wind speeds recorded is 125 knots (231 km/h or 144 mph).
3 fatalities have been reported so far in Comoros Islands. The damage caused to the islands by the cyclone is currently unknown.
The maximum sustained wind speed when it made landfall was 120 knots (222 km/h or 138 mph) and maximum gusts were 145 knots (268 km/h or 167 mph).
Kenneth has now started to weaken and is moving at 7 knots. The current maximum sustained wind speed is 75 knots (139 km/h or 86 mph) and maximum gusts were 90 knots (167 km/h or 104 mph). This is equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
According to GDAC, Mozambique can expect maximum storm surge height of 1.3 metre.
Over 30,000 people have been evacuated in northern Mozambique according to the Mozambique's National Institute of Disaster Management. Schools have been closed and flights between Maputo and Pemba cancelled. Residents in the Mtwara region of southern Tanzania were also asked to evacuate in preparation.
The cyclone moved further south than forecast.
Although Tropical Cyclone Kenneth has started to weaken, the risk of torrential rainfall, damaging wind, storm surge, flooding and landslides remain.
24 April (Source: NASA)
Satellite image of Tropical Cyclone Kenneth making landfall (Source: JTWC)
Satellite image of Tropical Cyclone Kenneth making weakening after making landfall (Source: JTWC)
Cyclone Warning from the JTWC earlier this evening (Source: JTWC)
Update and most current cyclone warning from the JTWC this evening (Source: JTWC)
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