Tropical storm Gezani’s impact on South Africa still unclear
The Severe Weather and Information Centre SA is closely monitoring tropical storm Gezani.
Gezani has today, February 9, been upgraded from a depression to a moderate tropical storm.
According to the Severe Weather and Information Centre SA (SWAICSA) it is unclear at this stage whether this system will affect South Africa.
Tropical Storm #Gezani is expected to land as a cyclone tomorrow in #Madagascar.
Densely populated areas face potential threats to people and infrastructure.
Government and partners are pre-positioning staff and supplies ahead of impact.https://t.co/9Ua8KFJYN3 pic.twitter.com/QRu6rr0XTA
— OCHA Southern & Eastern Africa (@UNOCHA_ROSEA) February 9, 2026
“The movement of tropical systems can be erratic and many things can change over the next seven days. Please follow [our social media] for updates,” SWAICSA said.
The latest information indicated estimated maximum wind speeds at sea (averaged over 10 minutes) of 75km/h with gusts at 100km/h. The estimated pressure at the centre is 999hPa.
After days without intensification, TS #Gezani is organizing on its approach to Madagascar. Convection near its LLCC has increased and episodic VHTs hint at core formation (supported by radar out of La Réunion). Cat 2+ possible at landfall in about 30h. pic.twitter.com/vDUEQjyXrh
— KeviShader (@KeviShader) February 9, 2026
Gezani intensifies
‘”Gezani continues to intensify as it moves away from the Mascarene Islands on a westward trajectory. On this westward direction, Gezani is expected to intensify steadily before reaching the east coast of Madagascar,” said SWAICSA.
#Gezani #IndianOcean #Cyclone #Storms #Hurricane #Madagascar @GovernmentOfMa1 #Mozambique #mozambiquechannel
Latest tracking of Storm/Cyclone Gezani
11:15 am EAT
Monday, 9 February 2026 pic.twitter.com/02rpiCj0WC— StormWatch 🇦🇺 (@StormWatch12345) February 9, 2026
The organisation anticipated that the storm will make landfall in Madagascar as a cyclone on February 10 or 11. “It could re-emerge and intensify in the Mozambique Channel later in the week. In the longer term, a landing on the Mozambican coast remains very uncertain,” SWAICSA concluded.
he tropical depression which developed east of Madagascar has now intensified into a tropical storm and has been named Tropical Storm #GEZANI. pic.twitter.com/YWS1UTpi2I
— DCCMS_Malawi (@MetMalawi) February 9, 2026
Trail of devastation
This weather alert comes after intense rainfall wreaked havoc in Mpumalanga and Limpopo in January, leaving a trail of devastation.
ALSO READ: Kruger Park floods: Latest updates you should know
The Kruger National Park was severely damaged.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Letaba staff evacuated as KNP floods reach 26-year high
@lowvelder The current situation at the Nsemani Dam near Satara Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park today, Friday, January 16. > Video: SANParks #krugernationalpark #floods #satara
SANParks carried out a series of staff and visitor evacuations after continuous rainfall flooded multiple rest camps and entrance gates in January.
@lowvelder SANParks has confirmed that rising water at the Letaba Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has reached the level seen during the 2000 floods. Water is flowing into the camp itself, forcing SANParks to evacuate both visitors and staff. > Video: Supplied/SANParks #sanparks #kruger #krugernationalpark #krugerfloods2026
ALSO READ: Dams in Mpumalanga brim after record rainfall
@lowvelder One of many bridges damaged by heavy rainfall in Msholozi, where two residents’ lives have been claimed by the same flooding stream. > Video: Bridget Mpande #floods #mpumulanga #heavyrainfall #flooding #mpumalanga🇿🇦
