Northern Mozambique Faces Third Cyclone in Four Months: Cyclone Jude Strikes
Northern Mozambique has been hit by Cyclone Jude, the third cyclone in four months. This storm, which made landfall with winds reaching 140 km/h, has weakened into a severe tropical storm without reported casualties. Previous cyclones in the region caused several fatalities and extensive damage to homes. The cyclone is forecasted to weaken further while moving towards Malawi and potentially intensify towards Madagascar.
Northern Mozambique experienced severe weather as Cyclone Jude, the third cyclone to strike the region in four months, made landfall on Monday. With winds reaching 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour and gusts up to 195 kilometers per hour, the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) confirmed the storm’s strength. Jude subsequently weakened into a severe tropical storm accompanied by thunderstorms, although no casualties had been reported by Monday afternoon.
Cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean typically spans from November to April, generating around a dozen storms annually. Previous cyclones have had devastating impacts; Cyclone Chido in December resulted in at least 120 fatalities and damaged nearly 120,000 homes, while Cyclone Dikeledi in mid-January claimed at least five lives and destroyed approximately 3,500 homes.
According to the regional cyclone center located in the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, Cyclone Jude is expected to weaken as it moves inland. It is expected to circulate close to the border between Mozambique and Malawi, with warnings that it might intensify while heading southwest towards Madagascar.
Cyclone Jude’s impact highlights the increasing frequency of severe weather events in northern Mozambique. With past cyclones causing significant loss of life and property, the region must prepare for continuing threats during the cyclone season, which may intensify as Jude progresses towards Madagascar. Proactive measures to mitigate future impacts are essential to safeguard local communities.
Original Source: www.ecr.co.za
