The UN weather agency reported yesterday that Tropical Cyclone Freddy, a storm in the Indian Ocean that hit East Africa in 2023, has been confirmed as the longest cyclone ever recorded, lasting 36 days.

Freddy surpassed the previous record of Hurricane John, which hit Hawaii and lasted almost 30 days in the North Pacific three decades ago, said the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which released a study that began when Freddy subsided in March last year.

It was also the second longest in terms of distance covered, with around 12,785 kilometers - while John covered more than 13,000 kilometers, according to the United Nations agency.

In the aftermath of Freddy, which struck East Africa in two phases, more than 1,200 people were reported dead or missing in Malawi, while more than 180 people died in Mozambique, according to the WMO.

"Freddy didn't just hit a landing point, which is what normally happens with a tropical cyclone," explained Clare Nullis, spokesperson for the WMO.

"It had several landings in countries that are very vulnerable: Mozambique, Madagascar, and it also had major impacts in Malawi and other countries in southern Africa," he added. (Source: NMinuto)

(Photo: DR)