Cyclone Jude has led to 17 fatalities, with 16 in Mozambique and 1 in Madagascar. The cyclone has caused severe injuries, displacement of thousands, and damage to infrastructure. Approximately 400,000 individuals have been affected across Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi, prompting humanitarian concerns and highlighting the need for effective emergency response strategies.
According to the latest report from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Cyclone Jude has resulted in the deaths of 17 individuals: 16 in Mozambique and 1 in Madagascar. The cyclone, which struck the region last week, has also left over 130 people injured and four individuals unaccounted for as of March 18. In total, Cyclone Jude has affected approximately 400,000 residents across three African countries, with over 10,500 persons displaced in Madagascar and nearly 5,000 in Malawi.
Cyclone Jude first landed in northern Madagascar on March 8, leading to the displacement of thousands who sought refuge in temporary shelters, as stated by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The cyclone intensified while traversing the Mozambique Channel, making its second landfall on March 10 in Mozambique’s coastal district of Mossuril in Nampula province, where it produced maximum sustained winds of 140 kph (about 87 mph) and gusts reaching up to 195 kph (121 mph). The cyclone also caused significant rainfall, with totals surpassing 250 millimeters (9.8 inches) over a span of 24 hours, resulting in widespread flooding.
The ramifications of Cyclone Jude include canceled flights and the destruction of approximately 900 homes in Mozambique. The World Food Programme documented that nearly 49,593 hectares (122,547 acres) of agricultural land in Monapo were inundated due to flooding. Additionally, a cholera outbreak was reported in Larde, Nampula, as noted by OCHA. A UNICEF spokesperson indicated that pre-existing high water levels in river basins and dams exacerbated the flooding situation, which left over 400,000 individuals in Nampula without electricity.
Prior to the cyclone’s arrival, the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund allocated $6 million for preparedness efforts, including early warning systems and supplies for hygiene and water treatment. From March 10 to 12, Cyclone Jude also affected Malawi, leading to heavy rains before returning to Mozambique.
As of March 18, OCHA reported extensive damage in Mozambique, including the destruction or partial damage of 70,000 homes, 247 schools, and various healthcare and infrastructure facilities, including bridges and electricity lines. Cyclone Jude is the third storm to impact Mozambique in less than three months, following Cyclones Chido in December and Dikeledi in January. The cyclone made another landfall in Madagascar on March 15, impacting southern areas significantly.
The educational sector was severely disrupted, with 89 classrooms destroyed and 182 sustaining damage, affecting approximately 48,000 students. OCHA has noted that this is the first occurrence of a potent weather system traversing the southern region of Madagascar, resulting in flooding that affected over a thousand homes and damaged approximately 1,600 homes further. Key districts, including Ampanihy, Bekily, Beloha, and Tsihombe, remain inaccessible, preventing humanitarian access for aid delivery.
In summary, Cyclone Jude has caused widespread devastation across Madagascar and Mozambique, resulting in 17 fatalities and substantial infrastructural damage. With over 400,000 people affected and significant flooding impacting agricultural land, both nations face formidable humanitarian challenges. The cyclone highlights the need for continued emergency preparedness and response efforts in storm-prone regions to mitigate future impact.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
