Northern Mozambique is facing its third cyclone, Cyclone Jude, in four months, bringing heavy rains and winds of up to 195 km/h. Previous cyclones have caused substantial casualties and damage. Jude is expected to weaken but may intensify as it moves towards Madagascar.
On Monday, heavy rains and strong winds impacted northern Mozambique as the region experienced its third cyclone in just four months. Cyclone Jude made landfall with winds reaching 140 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 195 kilometers per hour, as reported by the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM). Subsequently, the cyclone weakened into a severe tropical storm characterized by thunderstorms, yet no casualties were reported by Monday afternoon.
The cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean typically spans from November to April, during which approximately a dozen storms occur annually. Earlier, Cyclone Chido affected the country in December, leading to the unfortunate deaths of at least 120 individuals and the destruction of almost 120,000 homes based on official statistics. Shortly thereafter, Cyclone Dikeledi struck in mid-January, resulting in five fatalities and the demolition of nearly 3,500 homes.
According to forecasts from the regional cyclone center based in La Réunion, Cyclone Jude is expected to weaken as it advances inland, potentially circulating near the border between Mozambique and Malawi. There is a possibility for the cyclone to regain strength as it moves southwest towards Madagascar, posing further risks to the region.
In conclusion, northern Mozambique is currently grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Jude, marking the third cyclone to strike the region within a four-month span. Previous cyclones, including Chido and Dikeledi, have devastated local communities with significant casualties and damage to infrastructure. As Cyclone Jude continues to move inland, authorities remain vigilant for potential intensification and its impact on neighboring regions.
Original Source: www.ecr.co.za
