Thursday 12 February 2026
Zim GBC News | Weather Report
Tropical Cyclone Gezani has rapidly intensified into an intense tropical cyclone and is bearing down on the east coast of Madagascar, with authorities now closely watching its potential trajectory toward Mozambique later this week.
According to the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department (MSD), Gezani was positioned approximately 75 kilometres east of the port city of Toamasina — formerly Tamatave — on Tuesday afternoon. The city is bracing for a direct hit from the cyclone’s most destructive section, the eyewall, expected to make landfall between 6 PM and 7 PM local time.
“The cyclone is forecast to weaken gradually as it crosses Madagascar before re-entering the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday evening, likely as a tropical depression or a moderate tropical storm,” the MSD said in a statement.
“However, further strengthening is expected thereafter.”
Meteorologists are predicting that the system could regain tropical cyclone strength by Friday as it follows a south-westerly track. While a landfall along the Mozambican coast between Friday evening and Saturday remains possible, forecasters caution that the path remains uncertain.
In neighbouring Mozambique, the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) has already issued alerts for coastal communities.
Speaking on Monday, INAM director Dorival Mutereda warned that Gezani could approach Mozambique’s shoreline as a tropical cyclone by Wednesday, packing wind speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour.
“This system has the potential to approach the coast of Mozambique as a Tropical Cyclone, potentially affecting the coastal districts of the provinces of Sofala, Inhambane, and Gaza, with average winds of 120 kilometres per hour, gusts up to 140 kilometres per hour, and heavy rainfall,” Mutereda said.
He added: “We will continue to monitor the development of this system.”
Authorities in both Madagascar and Mozambique are on high alert as communities in low-lying and coastal areas prepare for possible evacuations and flooding.
Zim GBC News will continue to monitor the trajectory and impact of Cyclone Gezani.
FOLLOW US FOR REAL-TIME UPDATES:
· X (Twitter): @ZimGbc
· Instagram: @ZimGBCNews
· TikTok: @ZimGBCNews_01
· Facebook: Zim GBC News
· YouTube: Zim GBC News
Get real-time alerts on WhatsApp:
+263 773 820 323
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective©️2026