1/29/25, 5:09 PM Cyclone Dikeledi - Wikipedia

Cyclone Dikeledi
Intense Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi was a long-lived
Intense Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi
tropical cyclone that traversed the southern Indian
Ocean in December 2024 and January 2025. Dikeledi,
which means tears in Sotho, is the fourth named storm
and the third intense tropical cyclone of the 2024–25
South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. It formed
south of Java, Indonesia as a tropical low on 30
December 2024, traversing the southern Indian Ocean
before entering the South-West Indian Ocean basin on
4 January, and the Météo-France office in Réunion
(MFR) monitoring the system two days later. On the
following day, the MFR upgraded the system to a
tropical depression, with deep convection having
developed and microwave overpass images suggesting
the circulation beginning to organize. The MFR
upgraded the depression to a moderate tropical storm
Dikeledi during its peak intensity south of
on 9 January, and then a tropical cyclone the following
Madagascar on 16 January.
day. Dikeledi made landfall near Antsiranana,
Madagascar on 12 January. Meteorological history
Formed 30 December 2024
Extratropical 17 January 2025
Meteorological history Dissipated 18 January 2025

Dikeledi originally formed south of Java, Indonesia as a Intense tropical cyclone

tropical low on 30 December 2024 and was assigned the 10-minute sustained (MFR)
designation 08U by the BoM before traversing the Highest winds 175 km/h (110 mph)
southern Indian Ocean into the RSMC La Reunion area Lowest pressure 945 hPa (mbar); 27.91 inHg
of responsibility late on 4 January 2025. Advanced
Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone
scatterometer data on 6 January indicated that the low-
level circulation was elongated with max winds present 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
at 40 km/h (25 mph) on the southern side. Meteo- Highest winds 185 km/h (115 mph)
France also stated the associated convection was still Lowest pressure 950 hPa (mbar); 28.05 inHg
poorly organized, but nonetheless it began to issue
Overall effects
warnings at 12:00 UTC the same day while classifying
the system as a Zone of Disturbed Weather. The Joint Fatalities 9+[1][2]
Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Damage Unknown
Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) on this system on 7 Areas affected Northern Madagascar ·
January as it became better organized. On the following Mayotte · Mozambique
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day, Meteo-
France Part of the 2024–25 Australian region and
upgraded 05 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons
to a tropical
depression, with deep convection having developed and
microwave overpass images suggesting the circulation
beginning to organize, and then the RSMC named the
system Dikeledi early on 9 January.[3] Despite this, the
JTWC held its TCFA, but still cited a consolidated low-
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity,
level centre of circulation with deep flaring convection
according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
over the centre.[4] By 11 January, the MFR reported that
Map key
Dikeledi intensified into a tropical cyclone, with winds of
Saffir–Simpson scale
130 km/h (81 mph). After slightly weakening, the cyclone
Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
made landfall near Antsiranana, Madagascar on 12
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
January.[5] Afterward, Dikeledi weakened back to tropical
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
storm status while over land, emerging into the
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h) Mozambique Channel near Nosy-Be.[6][7] While
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h) approaching the coast of Mozambique, the storm
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h) reattained tropical cyclone status on 13 January, making
Unknown landfall in Nampula Province shortly thereafter.[8][9]
Storm type Curving southward, the cyclone weakened to tropical
Tropical cyclone storm status over land, but soon reemerged into the
Subtropical cyclone Mozambique Channel.[10] Accelerating to the southeast,
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, Dikeledi strengthened back to tropical cyclone intensity on
tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression 15 January, due to warm waters and favorable
conditions.[11] Passing southwest of southern Madagascar,
it strengthened further into an intense tropical cyclone on
16 January, with peak sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph); Dikeledi broke the record for the most
southerly cyclone of that intensity in the basin, surpassing that of Cyclone Anggrek in 2024.[12] Later
that day, stronger wind shear caused the cyclone to rapidly weaken, and the storm transitioned into
an extratropical cyclone on 17 January.[13][14]

Preparations

Madagascar
On 11 January, the Government of Madagascar reported that Dikeledi was likely to generate 8 m
(26 ft) storm surges 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, 110 km/h (68 mph) winds and 150 km/h (93 mph) gusts,
which were likely to cause flooding and landslides throughout the northeast of the island; a red alert
for "imminent danger" was issued for Bealanana, Antsohihy, and Analalava.[15][16] Save the Children
said that 22,500 children in the country could be affected by the cyclone, which they warned could
lead to a humanitarian crisis in the region.[17] The United Nations Office for the Coordination of

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Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that heavy rainfall and

landslides were likely in northern Madagascar throughout 11-13
January, potentially affecting 45,082 people, with 170 mm (6.7 in)
of rainfall expected in the Antsiranana region.[18]

Elsewhere
In Mayotte, over 14,500 people evacuated to shelters prior to
Dikeledi's landfall.[19] OCHA warned on 11 January that the
cyclone was likely to affect coastal areas along the Mozambique
Channel by 12 January, with heavy rains, strong winds and
flooding expected in Mozambique and the Comoros.[18]

Cyclone Dikeledi near northern

Madagascar on 11 January. Impact

Madagascar
In Madagascar's Sava Region, the cyclone killed three
people, flooded 179 homes, damaged 38 others, displaced
308 residents and caused damage to Route nationale 6,
cutting off access to affected areas.[2]

Mayotte
In Mayotte, which was devastated by Cyclone Chido less Cyclone Dikeledi making landfall in
than a month prior, Dikeledi brought strong winds that Mozambique.
downed power lines, flooding and significant mudslides,
with reports that Mbouini, the only area of the territory
unaffected by Chido, was flooded.[19]

Mozambique
Authorities reported that the rainfall accumulations were most severe in Nampula Province, peaking
in Mossuril District with 9.72 in (247 mm), followed by Muecate District with 9.45 in (240.1 mm) and
Nampula with 8.28 in (210.4 mm). Sustained winds of 93 mph (150 km/h), with gusts of up to
112 mph (180 km/h), were also reported. According to the National Institute for Disaster
Management (INGD), Dikeledi claimed 6 lives and affected more than 70,423 people with more than
15,000 houses damaged and at least 3,381 completely destroyed, 67 kilometers of road damaged and a
bridge rendered impassable. Angoche District was the worst hit with 3 of the deaths. Forty-three

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health facilities and 105 schools were affected in addition to at least 113,000 customers who were left
without electricity. Agriculture, one of the main economic activities in the region, was severely
affected, compromising food security in the following months.[1][20]

See also
Weather of 2024 and 2025 Tropical cyclones
Tropical cyclones in 2024 and 2025 portal
Tropical cyclones in the Comoros Islands
Cyclone Dera (2001) – took a similar track
Cyclone Ernest (2005) – another strong storm that also had a similar path
Cyclone Chido (2024) – affected the same areas a month prior

References
1. "Mozambique - Cyclone tropical Dikeledi : Flash Update #2 (au 17 janvier 2025)" (https://reliefwe
b.int/report/mozambique/mozambique-tropical-cyclone-dikeledi-flash-update-2-17-january-2025).
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). ReliefWeb. 18 January
2025. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
2. "Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi kills 3 in Madagascar" (https://en.mehrnews.com/news/226809/Tropical
-Cyclone-Dikeledi-kills-3-in-Madagascar). Mehr News Agency. 12 January 2025. Retrieved
13 January 2025.
3. TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST WARNING (SOUTH-WEST INDIAN OCEAN) 0.A WARNING
NUMBER: 5/5/20242025 (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/ac
tiviteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501080128.pdf) (PDF) (Report). MFR. 8 January 2025.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20250109094241/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_R
eunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501080128.pdf) (PDF) from
the original on 9 January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
4. Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert WTXS21 Issued at 08/2100Z (https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/pr
oducts/sh9425web.txt) (Report). JTWC. 8 January 2025. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20
250109092853/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9425web.txt) from the original on 9
January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
5. AFP (12 January 2025). " 'Fragile' Mayotte still on high alert as storm moves away" (https://www.c
aledonianrecord.com/news/national/storm-moves-away-from-mayotte-three-dead-in-madagascar/
article_0b0762f8-1c69-554c-8447-a718aac03089.html). Caledonian Record. Retrieved
12 January 2025.
6. Severe Tropical Storm Dikeledi Warning Number 20 (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reun
ion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501111849.pdf) (PDF) (Report).
Meteo-France. 11 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
7. Moderate Tropical Storm Dikeledi Warning Number 21 (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Re
union/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501120037.pdf) (PDF) (Report).
Meteo-France. 12 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
8. Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi Warning Number 26 (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/w
ebcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501130803.pdf) (PDF) (Report). Meteo-
France. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.

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9. Severe Tropical Storm Dikeledi Warning Number 27 (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reun

ion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501131914.pdf) (PDF) (Report).
Meteo-France. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
10. Severe Tropical Storm Dikeledi Warning Number 27 (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reun
ion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501140710.pdf) (PDF) (Report).
Meteo-France. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
11. Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi Warning Number 35 (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/w
ebcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501151323.pdf) (PDF) (Report). Meteo-
France. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
12. Intense Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi Warning Number 38 (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Re
union/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501160658.pdf) (PDF) (Report).
Meteo-France. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
13. Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi Warning Number 40 (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/w
ebcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501161931.pdf) (PDF) (Report). Meteo-
France. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
14. Post-Tropical Depression 5 (ex-Dikeledi) Warning Number 42 (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/
La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202501170704.pdf) (PDF)
(Report). Meteo-France. 17 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
15. Government of Madagascar (11 January 2025). "Météo Madagascar: Cyclone Tropical Dikeledi -
Bulletin cyclonique spécial du 11 janvier 2025 à 22 heures locales" (https://reliefweb.int/report/ma
dagascar/meteo-madagascar-cyclone-tropical-dikeledi-bulletin-cyclonique-special-du-11-janvier-2
025-22-heures-locales-frmg) (in French). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
16. Government of Madagascar (10 January 2025). "Météo Madagascar: Cyclone Tropical Dikeledi du
10 janvier 2025 à 21 heures locales" (https://reliefweb.int/report/madagascar/meteo-madagascar-
cyclone-tropical-dikeledi-du-10-janvier-2025-21-heures-locales) (in French). ReliefWeb. Retrieved
12 January 2025.
17. Save the Children (11 January 2025). "More than 22,500 children brace for a devastating storm as
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi to make landfall in Northern Madagascar" (https://reliefweb.int/report/ma
dagascar/more-22500-children-brace-devastating-storm-tropical-cyclone-dikeledi-make-landfall-no
rthern-madagascar). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
18. OCHA (11 January 2025). "Madagascar: Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi - Flash Update No. 1 (11
January 2025)" (https://reliefweb.int/report/madagascar/madagascar-tropical-cyclone-dikeledi-flas
h-update-no-1-11-january-2025). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
19. Plummer, Robert (12 January 2025). "Mayotte hit by floods and mudslides from second storm" (htt
ps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c05lg8dd6epo). BBC News. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
20. "Le cyclone DIKELEDI laisse derrière lui des morts et un record" (https://www.cycloneoi.com/archi
ves-blog/cyclone/le-cyclone-dikeledi-laisse-derriere-lui-des-morts-et-un-record.html).
cycloneoi.com (in French). 16 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2025.

External links
MFR Track Data (http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/
data/20242025/2024RE05.html) of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi (in French)
07S.CHIDO (https://science.nrlmry.navy.mil/geoips/tcdat/tc2025/SH/SH072025/txt/trackfile.txt)
from the United States Naval Research Laboratory
ReliefWeb's main page (https://reliefweb.int/disaster/tc-2025-000009-mdg) for this event.

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