Northern Mozambique faced its third cyclone in four months, Cyclone Jude, which made landfall with winds reaching up to 195 kilometers per hour. Previous cyclones this season have resulted in considerable loss of life and property. The cyclone is expected to weaken as it moves inland, though monitoring continues for potential changes in intensity.
On Monday, northern Mozambique experienced severe weather as Cyclone Jude made landfall, marking the third cyclone to impact the region within four months. According to the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM), the cyclone brought sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching up to 195 kilometers per hour. Subsequently, Cyclone Jude transitioned into a severe tropical storm containing thunderstorms, yet by Monday afternoon, there were no reports of casualties.
Typically, the cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean occurs from November to April, producing approximately a dozen storms annually. Previous cyclones this season have caused significant devastation, with Cyclone Chido striking in December and resulting in at least 120 fatalities and the destruction of nearly 120,000 homes. Additionally, Cyclone Dikeledi hit in mid-January, leading to five confirmed deaths and nearly 3,500 homes damaged.
The regional cyclone center in La Reunion forecasts that Cyclone Jude will likely weaken as it moves inland. It is projected to remain close to the border between Mozambique and Malawi, but there remains a chance that it could intensify while heading southwest towards Madagascar.
In summary, northern Mozambique is currently grappling with the impacts of Cyclone Jude, its third cyclone in four months. This season has been particularly devastating, with prior storms causing significant loss of life and infrastructure damage. The region continues to monitor Cyclone Jude as it moves inland and may pose further risks in the coming days.
Original Source: www.ecr.co.za
