Tropical storm Gezani headed for Madagascar, impact on South Africa unclear
SA weather services are monitoring tropical storm Gezani, which may strengthen into a cyclone as it approaches Madagascar tomorrow or Wednesday.
Gezani has today been upgraded from a depression to a moderate tropical storm, reports the Lowvelder.
According to the Severe Weather and Information Centre SA (SWAICSA) it is unclear at this stage whether this system will affect South Africa.
“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.
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 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.
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.
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
The organisation anticipated that the storm will make landfall in Madagascar as a cyclone tomorrow or Wednesday.
“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.
Trail of devastation
This weather alert comes after intense rainfall wreaked havoc in Mpumalanga and Limpopo in January, leaving a trail of devastation.
The Kruger National Park was severely damaged.
#Gezani #IndianOcean #Cyclone #Storms #Hurricane #Madagascar @GovernmentOfMa1 #Mozambique #mozambiquechannel
— StormWatch 🇦🇺 (@StormWatch12345) February 9, 2026
Latest tracking of Storm/Cyclone Gezani
11:15 am EAT
Monday, 9 February 2026 pic.twitter.com/02rpiCj0WC
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