Cyclone Jokwe continues to weaken by Steph Ball
Although the Mozambican meteorological office (INAM) warned Thursday that Cyclone Jokwe might still affect southern coastal regions, the storm appears to be heading nowhere.
Jokwe first developed over a week ago to the northeast of Madagascar and brushed the north of the island before heading west towards Mozambique. As it crossed the Mozambique Channel it gained strength from the warm waters, intensifying into a category 4 cyclone. It went on to strike the northern province of Nampula on Sunday 9th March with winds over 120mph (200km/h).
As Cyclone Jokwe struck, it left behind a trail of damage to peasant homes, in a country which has already seen thousands displaced by floods. The arrival of Jokwe marked the 12th cyclone to develop in the Indian Ocean so far this season. This is the highest number of cyclones seen in one season for perhaps more than a decade. The South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season normally runs from mid-November to the end of April.
Over the last few days Jokwe has made little movement and continues to weaken slowly. Friday morning it lay still in the south of the Mozambique Channel with winds recorded to be around 46mph (74km/h). While at present it seems unlikely to make landfall, it is causing problems a significant threat to shipping in the area.
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