Cyclone Jude has struck Mozambique, causing six fatalities and significant flooding. The storm made landfall with winds comparable to a Category 1 hurricane, resulting in substantial disruptions. Although it has weakened, forecasts suggest it may regain strength as it approaches Madagascar. Severe weather also impacted South Africa, leading to alerts for heavy rainfall and flooding.
Mozambique, located along the Indian Ocean coast of southeastern Africa, has recently faced significant disruption due to Cyclone Jude. Initially identified as a depression on March 14 near Diego Garcia, the system intensified over the following days into a moderate tropical storm, impacting northern Madagascar on March 15. This ongoing cyclone has resulted in six fatalities and the destruction of approximately 900 houses, severely affecting local communities.
As Cyclone Jude continued its path westwards across the Mozambique Channel, it evolved into a full tropical cyclone, driven by warm sea surface temperatures nearing 30°C, which supplied the requisite heat and moisture. The cyclone made landfall in Mozambique early today, producing sustained winds of 120 km/h, with gusts exceeding 193 km/h—comparable to a Category 1 hurricane. This event caused over 200 mm of rainfall in coastal areas such as Memba, Monapo, Mossuril, Mozambique Island, and Nacala, leading to extensive flooding.
The impact of Cyclone Jude resulted in the cancellation of numerous flights and left approximately 40,000 people without electricity. Currently, although the storm has weakened, forecasts project a return to the Mozambique Channel, with expectations of an eastward movement toward southern Madagascar later this week. Weather models suggest that Jude could regain cyclone strength by the time it nears Madagascar’s coastline on Friday, creating the potential for further destruction.
Simultaneously, South Africa has also encountered extreme weather, particularly on March 13, when intense thunderstorms struck the KwaZulu-Natal province, placing it on a Level 6 alert for heavy rainfall and flooding. A cold front in the area lifted warm air, causing rapid condensation and subsequent storms, resulting in about 100 mm of rain falling within 24 hours.
In summary, Cyclone Jude has severely affected Mozambique, causing fatalities, damaging property, and leading to significant flooding. While the cyclone has weakened, predictions indicate a potential regeneration of its strength as it moves towards Madagascar. Concurrently, South Africa has faced harsh weather conditions, compounding the challenges in the region during this cyclone season.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
