Video and photographic footage has emerged of Filipo making landfall, with Mozambican authorities warning an estimated 525 000 people are at risk, as well as 856 schools and 145 health centres.

Having achieved moderate tropical storm status during the course of Sunday and yesterday, tropical storm Filipo started moving into Vilanculos, Mozambique, in the early hours of this morning and has since made landfall.

According to the National Institute of Meteorology, between 100mm and 250mm of rain are expected in the Inhambane and Sofala provinces, while between 50mm and 100mm are expected for Gaza and Maputo.

Received this video from Manie Barnard in #Inhassoro Mozambique, 340km north of Inhambane. Wind, rain and “storm surge” damage to buildings and infrastructure from Tropical Storm #Filipo can be clearly seen @VoxWeatherZa @JoelGuy_ @AfricaWeather_ @WMO pic.twitter.com/5XxHG3H5RB

— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) March 12, 2024

Winds gusting up to 120km/h were predicted before Filipo made landfall.

As of late yesterday, the National Institute of Meteorology issued a red tropical disturbance advisory – the highest level on a three-tier scale.

Heavy rain expected in SA

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has predicted a moderate to high risk of heavy rainfall in several areas of the lowveld regions of Limpopo today and tomorrow, as well as the Lowveld in Mpumalanga tomorrow.

Lowvelder reports that SAWS warns that localised flooding may occur over the southern Lowveld, including the Kruger National Park (KNP). It said major rivers of the central and southern half of the KNP, such as, but not limited to, the Olifants, Letaba, Sabie and Sand rivers, as well as the Crocodile River in the extreme south of the KNP are likely to be flowing very strongly, possibly in flood, from midweek.

Polokwane Review meanwhile reports that in Limpopo, areas such as Thohoyandou, Giyani, Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa will be affected with Level 4 warnings for disruptive rain issued for these areas.

Heavy rain with localised flooding is also expected in the Kingdom of Eswatini and the extreme north-eastern KZN.

Tropical Storm #Filipo is now located over #Mozambique and could bring up to 400mm rain to the region in the next two days. pic.twitter.com/Ef24jS8GO9

— Met Office Storms (@metofficestorms) March 12, 2024

Impact for Zululand

While SAWS has issued a yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rains tomorrow, it appears that not the whole of Zululand is set to be affected.

In Zululand affected areas are Mthonjaneni, Mandeni, uMlalazi and Ulundi, and the warning is in place from 08:00 to 20:00 tomorrow.

“Moderate tropical storm Filipo will result in widespread showers and thunder showers over extreme northeastern parts of KZN,” said SAWS. Significant rainfall amounts exceeding 100mm may lead to flooding of road and settlements, damage to infrastructure and mud-based houses.”

While the usual weather forecast predicts minimal rain for the City of uMhlathuze, wind gusts of up to 50km/h are expected.

Vilankulo: Houses and public buildings affected as Filipo makes landfall in #Mozambique – Mayorhttps://t.co/7V4XXPpyNu
#Moçambique #FILIPO #TropicalStormFILIPO pic.twitter.com/XioBa0NIux

— Club of Mozambique (@clubOmozambique) March 12, 2024