A huge cyclone that had been forecast to hit Tanzania coastline on Sunday weakened considerably as it made a landfall, the meteorological authorities in Tanzania said.

A traditional sailing boat on the turquoise Indian Ocean in Zanzibar with storm coming

Tropical Cyclone Jobo had been predicted to be the most powerful cyclone to land in Tanzania in more than 50 years – and people living in low lying areas had been advised to move to higher ground.

Authorities in the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar also halted all sea activities, including fishing and transport.

The meteorological authority in Tanzania said the cyclone had weakened rapidly as it approached the coastline – and the predicted results were not felt.

It said a lot of the increased rainfall expected with the cyclone fell in the ocean and reduced its adverse effects that would have been seen on land.