Severe Impact of Tropical Cyclone Jude on Mozambique: Flash Update March 2025
On March 11, 2025, Tropical Cyclone Jude became a severe tropical storm, affecting northern and central Mozambique, with heavy rains posing risks to 2.1 million people. The cyclone is linked to a cholera outbreak, aggravating existing humanitarian crises. Early response measures are underway, though infrastructure challenges impede relief efforts.
On March 11, 2025, Tropical Cyclone Jude transitioned into a severe tropical storm while traversing Nampula province, generating heavy rainfall across nine provinces in Mozambique, with accumulations reaching 100mm within 24 hours. This severe weather poses a significant risk, endangering approximately 747,000 individuals and moderately impacting 2.1 million more due to high winds and the potential for flash floods, especially in Nampula, Niassa, and Zambezia (WFP TC Jude Emergency Impact Analysis).
The Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INAM) issued a warning on March 11 for additional torrential rains, with forecasts predicting up to 200mm of further rainfall in Nampula, Niassa, and Zambezia. Concurrently, Nampula’s Hydrological Department issued a flooding alert for major rivers, escalating concerns for local populations. Early response actions have been initiated through the Mozambique Anticipatory Action Framework for Cyclones, with emergency funds dispensed to humanitarian partners for preemptive measures three days before the cyclone’s approach.
The cyclone exacerbates the ongoing cholera outbreak, persisting since March 8 when the Ministry of Health declared an outbreak in Larde, a district that marks the fourth affected region in Nampula. Humanitarian resources are stretched thin due to concurrent responses to prior cyclones, such as Chido and Dikeledi, along with other crises, including food insecurity and conflict.
As of March 11, cyclone conditions have led to high winds up to 140 km/h and extensive rainfalls resulting in coastal erosion and severe flooding in Nampula. The cyclone made landfall on March 10, significantly impacting infrastructure, including homes, roads, and utility services. Relief efforts are hindered by roadway access issues as main routes remain impassable following the cyclone’s devastation. Planned humanitarian missions to the districts of Nacala Porto and Ilha de Mozambique have been canceled due to damaged infrastructure.
Cholera remains an active threat, with the Ministry of Health reporting major new cases: seven in Nampula and 20 in Zambezia (Cholera Bulletin No. 144). Active cholera cases exist in four districts of Nampula and are further complicated by previous cyclone damages and ongoing political unrest. The necessity for careful preparedness measures is paramount, since flooding during evacuation may lead to the spread of waterborne diseases.
The occurrence of Cyclone Jude marks the third cyclone to impact Mozambique in a three-month period, following severe destruction caused by Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi. The prior cyclones had already affected approximately 684,000 individuals across northern provinces, with recovery efforts for the remaining population lagging significantly, meeting only 14 percent of life-saving assistance targets in the districted previously impacted.
In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Jude has posed severe risks and challenges in Mozambique, particularly in Nampula, as it turned into a significant storm with substantial rainfall. The humanitarian response faces immense pressure from simultaneous disasters and existing health crises like cholera. As this cyclone joins others recently impacting the region, the need for efficient disaster preparedness and response coordination is crucial to address the ongoing humanitarian needs and mitigate further risks associated with health outbreaks and infrastructure damage.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
