Tropical Cyclone Jude has left over 272,000 people without power in Nampula, Mozambique, damaging significant infrastructure. The cyclone caused six deaths and affected numerous schools and individuals across affected provinces. Efforts to restore services are hindered by blocked roads as the rainy season continues.
Tropical Cyclone Jude has left 272,757 customers in Nampula province, northern Mozambique, without electricity due to extensive damage to infrastructure, as reported by the Mozambican electricity company. The cyclone caused significant destruction, impacting 74 kilometers of medium and low voltage lines, and resulting in the collapse of six transformer stations and two high voltage towers.
The power outages affected several substations in Nampula, Angoche, and Nacala, which serve approximately 15 districts and various neighborhoods. The estimated damage from the cyclone is around 100 million meticais (approximately €1.4 million). Currently, blocked access roads hinder the restoration of power, although partial supply has been resumed in some areas, including parts of Nampula City and surrounding districts.
The cyclone’s impact extends beyond electricity outages, with reports indicating at least six fatalities, 20 injuries, and 9,525 individuals affected in Nampula and Niassa provinces, along with Zambézia in central Mozambique. Additionally, 17,401 schoolchildren, 264 teachers, and numerous schools, including 181 classrooms, have been impacted by the extreme weather.
Cyclone Jude entered Mozambique with winds reaching 140 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to 195 kilometers. It quickly downgraded to a severe tropical storm while still threatening heavy rainfall of up to 250 millimeters in just 24 hours. The National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management has predicted that the cyclone could affect up to 341,000 individuals, with emergency committees mobilizing resources for affected areas.
Mozambique is currently experiencing the rainy season, which lasts from October to April, a time when cyclones frequently impact the region. Previous storms, such as Chido and Dikeledi, also affected northern Mozambique between December and January, resulting in considerable destruction to infrastructure and the displacement of vast populations. Reports indicate that extreme weather events have caused over 1,016 deaths in Mozambique since 2019, impacting nearly 4.9 million people, highlighting the nation’s vulnerability to climate change and cyclical disasters.
In summary, Cyclone Jude has severely impacted Nampula province, leaving thousands without electricity and causing widespread damage. The death toll has reached at least six, with thousands affected and several schools disrupted. As Mozambique navigates the challenges presented by this cyclone, it highlights the country’s ongoing struggle against the adverse effects of climate change, particularly during the rainy season, which often brings severe storms and flooding.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
