Cyclone Jude Causes 17 Deaths and Widespread Destruction in East Africa
Cyclone Jude has caused 17 deaths in East Africa, with 16 in Mozambique and 1 in Madagascar. The cyclone displaced over 10,500 in Madagascar and nearly 5,000 in Malawi, affecting at least 400,000 people. Extensive damage occurred in Mozambique, with 900 homes destroyed and significant infrastructure impacts reported. Jude is the third cyclone to strike Mozambique in recent months, significantly disrupting communities and schools.
Cyclone Jude has caused significant destruction in East Africa, leading to 17 deaths, with 16 people reported dead in Mozambique and one in Madagascar according to the latest report from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). The cyclone left over 130 people injured and four missing as of March 18, with estimates indicating that more than 10,500 individuals were displaced in Madagascar and nearly 5,000 in Malawi, affecting at least 400,000 people across the three countries.
The cyclone initially made landfall in northern Madagascar on March 8, forcing thousands into temporary shelters, as reported by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). After intensifying while crossing the Mozambique Channel, Cyclone Jude hit Mozambique on March 10, impacting the coastal district of Mossuril in Nampula province with maximum winds reaching 140 kph (87 mph) and gusts up to 195 kph (121 mph), along with extreme rainfall exceeding 250 millimeters (9.8 inches) in 24 hours, leading to flooding in coastal areas.
As a result of these intense weather conditions, flights were canceled and approximately 900 houses were destroyed in Mozambique, as noted by The Guardian. The World Food Programme reported extensive flooding of 49,593 hectares (122,547 acres) of cropland in Monapo, Nampula, compounding the crisis that also saw a cholera outbreak recorded in Larde, according to OCHA. A UNICEF spokesperson highlighted that full river basins and dams exacerbated the flooding, affecting over 400,000 residents with power outages in Nampula.
Prior to Jude’s landfall in northern Mozambique, the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund had allocated $6 million for preparedness measures, including early warning systems, shelter supplies, and water treatment products. Cyclone Jude subsequently passed through Malawi between March 10 and 12, returning to Mozambique shortly afterward. By March 18, OCHA documented damage to numerous structures with 70,000 houses, 247 schools, 72 health facilities, 48 water systems, and 18 bridges affected, along with 73 km (45 miles) of damaged electricity lines in Mozambique.
Cyclone Jude is the third cyclone to impact Mozambique within a three-month span, following Chido in December and Dikeledi in January. On March 15, Jude made landfall again in Madagascar’s southern tip, where schools experienced severe impacts, with 89 classrooms destroyed and 182 partially damaged, leaving around 48,000 students unable to attend school by March 18. OCHA indicated that this was the first instance of a powerful weather system traversing the entire southern region of Madagascar, flooding over a thousand houses and damaging or destroying 1,160 homes, particularly in the inaccessible districts of Ampanihy, Bekily, Beloha, and Tsihombe, hindering U.N. aid delivery efforts.
In summary, Cyclone Jude has inflicted severe damage across East Africa, resulting in significant casualties and widespread destruction. The cyclone’s path has left over 400,000 individuals affected, thousands displaced, and critical infrastructure heavily damaged. The response efforts, including financial aid and preparatory measures, highlight the urgent need for continued assistance in the wake of such natural disasters. The increasing frequency and intensity of cyclones emphasize the necessity for enhanced disaster preparedness in the region.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
