Impact of Tropical Cyclone Jude on Mozambique: Update March 2025
Tropical Storm Jude made landfall in Mozambique on March 10, affecting 780,000 people. It has caused damage to infrastructure and is forecasted to bring heavy rains, increasing flooding risks. Responders are working under strained conditions due to previous cyclones and cholera outbreaks, facing funding shortages in humanitarian efforts.
On March 10, Tropical Cyclone Jude made landfall in Mossuril district, Nampula province, with sustained winds of 140 km/h and gusts reaching 195 km/h. An estimated 780,000 individuals are at significant risk from high winds and heavy rainfall primarily in Nampula and Zambezia, as reported by the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management (INGD). Flood alerts have also been issued by the Hydrological Department for major rivers in Nampula.
Activation of the Mozambique Anticipatory Action (AA) Framework for Cyclones facilitated a timely humanitarian response, with support from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Funds were allocated to humanitarian partners three days prior to landfall for anticipatory measures. However, humanitarian efforts face constraints due to the ongoing responses to previous cyclones, cholera outbreaks, food insecurity, and rising political tensions, compounded by a decline in humanitarian funding, with the Tropical Cyclones Flash Appeal currently only 0.2% funded.
The cyclone, as per the Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology (INAM), is projected to remain in Nampula until the evening of March 10, potentially bringing over 250 mm of rain within 24 hours alongside severe storms. Localized flooding has already been reported in Nacala and Ilha de Moçambique districts. Initial assessments of cyclone impacts indicate damage to housing and critical infrastructure, including roads and communication networks, with rapid needs assessments prepared by INGD and IOM-DTM teams.
A total of 780,468 individuals across the cyclone’s path are under high risk, with 508,167 in Nampula and 272,302 in Zambezia. Recent cholera reports indicate 36 new cases in Nampula and 8 in Zambezia, with the ongoing epidemic complicated by damage to health and sanitation facilities from prior cyclones and misinformation affecting community responses. The potential for flooding and displacement to spread cholera into new areas remains a serious concern.
Jude represents the third cyclone to impact Mozambique in three months, following Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, which devastated Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces, affecting 684,000 people. Affected individuals in Nampula have struggled to recover, with only 14% of the targeted population receiving life-saving assistance across four districts.
Tropical Cyclone Jude has significantly impacted Mozambique, especially in Nampula and Zambezia provinces, with wind speeds reaching 140 km/h and widespread flooding risks. As humanitarian responses face challenges from previous disasters and ongoing cholera cases, resource mobilization is critical to assist those affected. The situation remains urgent as the cyclone is expected to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in the region.
Original Source: www.unocha.org
