Cyclone Jude Leaves Over 270,000 in Nampula Without Electricity

Cyclone Jude has left over 270,000 without electricity in Nampula province, Mozambique, due to significant damage to electrical infrastructure and adverse weather conditions. The cyclone has resulted in at least six fatalities and disrupted education for thousands of schoolchildren. With ongoing emergency efforts, the situation reflects Mozambique’s vulnerability to extreme weather linked to climate change, particularly during the rainy season.

In Nampula province, northern Mozambique, over 270,000 customers are currently without electricity due to the adverse weather caused by the tropical cyclone Jude. The Mozambican electric company, Eletricidade de Mozambique (EDM), reported that extensive damage to infrastructure has resulted in significant power outages across affected districts. Specifically, around 74 kilometers of medium and low voltage lines, as well as six transformer stations and two high voltage towers, were compromised.

The disruption has impacted power supply to the Nampula, Angoche, and Nacala substations, affecting approximately 15 districts and numerous neighborhoods. EDM has estimated the financial toll of the cyclone’s destruction at around 100 million meticais (approximately €1.4 million). Although some power has been restored in parts of Nampula and surrounding districts, access roads remain blocked, complicating full restoration efforts.

The cyclone has led to tragic consequences, including six fatalities and 20 injuries, with 9,525 individuals affected across Nampula, Niassa, and Zambézia provinces. Furthermore, significant disruptions in education have occurred, impacting 17,401 schoolchildren and 264 teachers, alongside damage to numerous schools and classrooms.

Initially entering Mozambique with wind speeds of 140 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 195 kilometers per hour, the cyclone soon diminished to a severe tropical storm. Meteorologists have indicated that the storm system may deliver heavy rainfall of up to 250 millimeters within a 24-hour span.

The National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD) projects that approximately 341,000 people may ultimately be affected by this storm. Emergency operational committees have been convened to mobilize resources and provide necessary support to the impacted communities.

As Mozambique currently experiences its rainy season, which lasts from October to April, it is not alone in grappling with the ramifications of cyclones. Previous events, such as Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, have adversely affected the region, impacting approximately 736,000 people and destroying essential infrastructure. The nation remains highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with a reported total of at least 1,016 fatalities due to cyclones and storms between 2019 and 2023, impacting around 4.9 million citizens. Despite these challenges, Mozambique continues to actively address the effects of climate change, which has exacerbated cyclones and storms across the country during this season.

Cyclone Jude’s devastation in Nampula province highlights the ongoing struggles that Mozambique faces due to extreme weather events. Significant infrastructural damage has left over 270,000 individuals without electricity while tragic loss of life underscores the serious implications of climate change. Amid ongoing emergency responses, Mozambique remains vigilant in managing the impacts of cyclones and storms during the rainy season, prioritizing community support and restoration efforts.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com