Tropical Cyclone Jude has made landfall in Mozambique, threatening approximately 780,000 residents due to high winds and torrential rain. Flood alerts have been issued, and humanitarian efforts are strained after recent cyclones and ongoing crises, including cholera outbreaks. Initial assessments indicate significant damage to infrastructure, and emergency preparedness efforts are underway.
Tropical Cyclone Jude has made landfall in the Mossuril district of Nampula province, Mozambique, as of 10 March 2025. The cyclone brought maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 195 km/h. The National Institute for Disaster Risk Management (INGD) has assessed that approximately 780,000 individuals are at heightened risk due to the cyclone’s destructive winds and expected torrential rains in Nampula and Zambezia provinces.
The Hydrological Department has issued flooding alerts for key rivers in Nampula, anticipating heavy rainfall that may exceed 250 mm over 24 hours. This weather system could persist in Nampula until the evening of 10 March. Severe thunderstorms are forecasted, potentially leading to considerable flooding across the provinces of Nampula, Zambezia, Cabo Delgado, and Sofala, according to the WFP’s ADAM flood forecast.
In response, the Mozambique Anticipatory Action (AA) Framework for Cyclones has been activated, allowing for the rapid disbursement of funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support anticipatory actions. However, the country’s humanitarian capacities are strained as efforts continue to address the aftermath of previous cyclones, Chido and Dikeledi, along with other crises such as cholera outbreaks and food insecurity. Currently, the funding for the Tropical Cyclones Flash Appeal is severely low, at just 0.2 percent.
As the situation develops, initial reports from the field indicate damage to homes and vital infrastructure, including roads and communication lines. Emergency response teams from INGD and IOM-DTM are prepared for rapid assessments in accessible areas. To date, at least 780,468 individuals, with 508,167 in Nampula and 272,302 in Zambezia, are identified as being at risk.
The cholera situation is concerning, with recent reports indicating 36 cases in Nampula and 8 in Zambezia. The response to cholera is complicated by the previously damaged health and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, alongside the dissemination of misinformation and violence towards health personnel. Additionally, flooding and movements due to evacuation could facilitate the spread of cholera to previously unaffected regions.
Tropical Storm Jude marks the third cyclone to assault Mozambique in just three months, following Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, which collectively impacted around 684,000 individuals in the northern regions. Many affected communities in Nampula are still recovering and humanitarian assistance has been limited, reaching only 14 percent of the targeted population with vital support across four districts.
Tropical Cyclone Jude poses a significant threat to Mozambique, particularly impacting Nampula and Zambezia provinces. An alarming estimate of 780,000 individuals are at risk from severe weather conditions. The humanitarian response efforts are hindered due to prior cyclones and ongoing crises, such as cholera. As recovery efforts face challenges in resource mobilization, the situation remains dire for vulnerable communities in the affected areas.
Original Source: www.unocha.org
