Tropical Cyclone Jude has resulted in at least nine fatalities across Mozambique and Malawi, displacing thousands and causing significant flooding. Relief efforts are hampered by damage to infrastructure. The cyclone follows previous catastrophic events in these regions.
Tropical Cyclone Jude has tragically claimed at least nine lives across Mozambique and Malawi. The National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) in Mozambique reported six fatalities, 20 injuries, and the displacement of 9,525 individuals in the northern provinces of Nampula and Niasa, as well as in the central province of Zambezia.
In Malawi, three deaths were confirmed, with approximately 20,000 people rendered homeless in the southern regions due to severe flooding caused by the cyclone. Chiphiliro Khamula, a spokesperson for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs in Malawi, indicated that the displaced individuals are currently being sheltered in evacuation centers.
The cyclone made landfall in northern Mozambique early Sunday, subsequently advancing to southern Malawi, where it caused persistent flooding from Monday to Wednesday. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ongoing relief efforts face significant challenges due to washed-away access roads and bridges.
This disaster follows a similar incident in December of the previous year when Cyclone Chido impacted both nations, resulting in considerable fatalities: 73 in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi.
Tropical Cyclone Jude has had a devastating impact, resulting in nine fatalities between Mozambique and Malawi and displacing thousands. The cyclone exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, with ongoing challenges for relief operations highlighted by infrastructural damage. Urgent humanitarian assistance and infrastructure repair responses are essential to support those affected in both countries.
Original Source: news.az
