Rising Cyclone Threats in Mozambique: A New Normal?

Mozambique faces a troubling series of cyclones, marked by three storms in three months, prompting concern about a new norm of violent weather patterns. The extreme weather has devastated communities, with significant loss of life and property, raising questions about resource adequacy for humanitarian efforts. Experts suggest that increased cyclone frequency may be linked to climate change, highlighting the need for better preparedness and resilience investments.

Mozambique has recently experienced a troubling series of three cyclones over three months, exacerbating the struggles faced by one of the world’s poorest regions. The relentless storms have forced thousands into distress, prompting experts to question whether such extreme weather patterns are becoming the new norm.

The cumulative effect of these cyclones has placed immense pressure on humanitarian aid organizations, as they work diligently to assist communities devastated by subsequent disasters. The damages have rendered tens of thousands of homes uninhabitable, leading to a profound humanitarian crisis in an already vulnerable setting.

Sebastien Langlade, chief cyclone forecaster at the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre on Reunion Island, remarked on the severity of the current situation, stating, “Mozambique is experiencing a truly bad series of cyclonic impacts.”

The cyclone season, which stretches from November to April, began with Cyclone Chido in mid-December, which resulted in over 120 fatalities after striking Mayotte. Cyclone Dikeledi followed in January, causing five more deaths, while Cyclone Jude brought devastating winds of up to 195 kilometers per hour, claiming 16 lives and destroying over 40,000 homes across Mozambique.

The United Nations reported that Cyclone Jude affected approximately 420,000 people across Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique. Both Jude and Dikeledi made landfall near the same location in Nampula province, underscoring the sequenced nature of these disasters.

Naemi Heita, head of the Red Cross and Red Crescent delegation in Maputo, described the situation as a “double tragedy,” emphasizing that communities had insufficient time to recover from initial storm impacts before facing subsequent cyclones.

UNICEF’s Mozambique spokesperson, Guy Taylor, expressed concern regarding the inability of such impoverished communities to withstand these impactful storms, further noting that by the time Cyclone Jude hit, the river basins and dams in Nampula were nearly at capacity.

The recurring cyclones are severely straining international aid organizations, as they continuously deplete their resources. Taylor highlighted this concern, stating, “Supplies become depleted… you start to run out.”

Heita also noted the gap between the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters and the resources available for mitigation efforts. She advocates for more investment in preparedness as a preventative measure against future calamities.

Coupled with the recent spate of cyclones, Mozambique has seen a marked increase in storm frequency, with eight cyclones striking since 2019. Langlade noted, “This is unprecedented in the cyclonic history of the country,” indicating a clear increase from previous decades.

Furthermore, warming waters in the Mozambique channel may be influencing the rates of cyclone formation, as expert observations have indicated that more than 70% of recorded tropical storms this season have reached cyclone intensity, surpassing the historical average.

The ongoing situation necessitates substantial adaptation measures. UNICEF has taken proactive steps by constructing over 1,000 cyclone-resistant classrooms in Mozambique. Taylor emphasized the importance of preparedness, affirming that investing in resilience is crucial to saving lives and protecting infrastructure from repeated destruction.

In conclusion, the recent cluster of cyclones in Mozambique signals an alarming trend of increasing frequency and intensity of such natural disasters in the region. The compounded impacts of these storms are exacerbating the existing vulnerabilities of impoverished communities and putting immense pressure on aid organizations. The urgent need for proactive adaptation and preparedness measures is evident, as investing in resilience could save lives and safeguard critical infrastructure from future calamities, thereby mitigating the devastating consequences of climate change and extreme weather patterns.

Original Source: www.france24.com