Tropical Cyclone Judy Threatens Nampula and Zambézia Provinces in Mozambique
Tropical Cyclone Judy is set to affect Mozambique’s Nampula and Zambézia provinces, risking 341,000 people with heavy rains and strong winds. Emergency response measures are activated, and authorities urge population relocations from high-risk areas. Flooding risks are heightened due to swollen river basins, prompting warnings about travel restrictions and infrastructure inspections.
Tropical Cyclone Judy is poised to impact Mozambique’s Nampula and Zambézia provinces, threatening approximately 341,000 individuals with heavy rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters in a 24-hour period and wind gusts reaching 150 kilometers per hour. The cyclone is anticipated to make landfall early today and may persist until the end of Wednesday, with significant risks to infrastructure, including 100 health facilities, 900 schools, and 82,000 hectares of agricultural land.
In response to the cyclone’s imminent arrival, the Technical Council for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction issued an alert, emphasizing the need for population relocation from high-risk zones to safer locations. Anacleta Botão, representative of the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), noted that 23 districts in Nampula will be severely affected.
INGD spokesperson Paulo Tomás confirmed the activation of emergency operational committees, facilitating support for 65,000 individuals by Saturday. He stated, “Given the likelihood of traffic restrictions, pre-positioning takes place in high-risk areas, to ensure the availability of goods and prompt assistance to victims.”
Agostinho Vilanculos, head of the Department of Water Resources Management, reported elevated levels across various coastal river basins, indicating potential flooding risks, particularly in Quelimane. With road conditions deteriorating, he cautioned against traveling in these vulnerable districts.
Moreover, Dorival Muterenda, director of Meteorological Forecasting at the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM), highlighted that Cyclone Judy could also affect regions such as Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Tete, and Sofala, with significant rainfall expected in coastal areas.
Tropical Cyclone Judy poses a severe threat to Mozambique’s Nampula and Zambézia provinces, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. Urgent measures are being taken to assist those at risk, including relocating populations and preparing emergency resources. With the cyclone’s potential impact highlighted by various officials, there is an urgent call for caution among drivers and necessary inspections of infrastructure to mitigate flooding risks. The situation underscores the importance of disaster preparedness and community support during such natural calamities.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
