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Dangerous landfall of cyclone #BELNA is imminent for #Madagascar this afternoon

Although cyclone #Belna is already weakening, it remains a large tropical system with strong Category 1 strength, located just north of Madagascar. Belna is packing maximum sustained winds of 80 knots / 90 mph / 150 km/h with central pressure near 980 mbar and continues due south – the landfall is expected this evening local time. Cyclone’s outer bands are already producing severe winds and torrential rainfall on the NW parts of Madagascar.

Satellite imagery still indicates healthy outflow patterns in the upper-levels while cyclone continues its slowly weakening trend. However, very cold cloud tops are supporting intense storms within a large convective complex.





https://twitter.com/HurricaneRiley5/status/1203718137088229376


First reports are already revealing flooding issues across a small island Mayotte located northwest of Madagascar, further flooding is likely over NW Madagascar (near Mahajanga) later today and tonight.


https://twitter.com/_JeanSeb_/status/1203915775385448448

Belna continues moving SSW today with an expected landfall in NW Madagascar this evening, around 18 UTC, as a dangerous Category 1 cyclone.


80-100 miles wide 34-knot wind radii is already affecting NW Madagascar while the 35-40 miles wide 50-knot wind radii are approaching fast as well. Major storm surge is expected to push into coastal areas across the whole northwest part of the island in the coming hours, as well as hurricane-force winds and torrential rainfall with dangerous flash floods!

Stay alert for dangerous weather conditions with flooding this afternoon and tonight!

Previous discussions on cyclone Belna:

Cyclone #BELNA is now a Category 2 and steadily organizing, expected to begin its rapid intensification soon and head towards devastating Madagascar landfall


Another cyclone is strengthening north of Madagascar today, expected to make landfall on the island on Sunday


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