Cyclone Jude has recently made landfall in Mozambique, causing fatalities and widespread flooding. Originally identified as a depression, it developed into a cyclone fueled by warm sea temperatures. After significant damages, forecasts suggest it may regain strength while moving towards Madagascar. Concurrently, South Africa faces heavy storms and flooding alerts.
Cyclone Jude has struck Mozambique, significantly disrupting normal life. Initially classified as a depression on March 14 near Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, it later intensified into a moderate tropical storm impacting northern Madagascar two days later. So far, the storm has been associated with six fatalities and the destruction of approximately 900 houses.
As Cyclone Jude progressed westward across the Mozambique Channel, it developed into a tropical cyclone due to favorable sea surface temperatures nearing 30°C, providing essential heat and moisture. The cyclone made landfall in Mozambique early morning today, exhibiting sustained winds of 120 km/h and gusts up to 193 km/h, which is comparable to a Category 1 hurricane. Coastal locations such as Memba, Monapo, Mossuril, Mozambique Island, and Nacala have experienced over 200mm of rainfall within a 24-hour period, resulting in severe flooding.
In response to the cyclone’s impact, flights were canceled, leaving approximately 40,000 individuals without electricity. Although the cyclone has weakened, meteorological forecasts indicate an anticipated eastward trajectory over the Mozambique Channel towards southern Madagascar later this week. Some models predict that Hurricane Jude may regain its tropical cyclone status by the time it reaches the coast of Madagascar on Friday night, potentially inflicting further devastation.
Additionally, South Africa has been affected by intense thunderstorms, with the KwaZulu-Natal province placed under a Level 6 alert for heavy rainfall and flooding on March 13. A passing cold front triggered these storms, lifting warm air and causing condensation, resulting in about 100mm of rain falling within a 24-hour period.
Cyclone Jude’s impact in Mozambique has led to fatalities and significant property damage, highlighting the vulnerability of the region to tropical storms. As it weakens but potentially regains strength over the coming days, coastal areas, particularly in Madagascar, should remain vigilant against the possibility of renewed devastation. Concurrently, storms in South Africa underline the broader impacts of climate-related weather events in the region.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
