Tropical Cyclone Jude made landfall in Mozambique on 10 March 2025, threatening approximately 780,000 people with high winds and torrential rains. The humanitarian response is severely strained following prior cyclones, leading to significant flooding risks, cholera outbreaks, and infrastructure damage. Emergency funding has been activated, yet the situation remains critical with ongoing needs exceeding resource availability.
On 10 March 2025, Tropical Cyclone Jude made landfall in the Mossuril district of Nampula province, bringing with it devastating winds of up to 140 km/h and gusts reaching 195 km/h. The cyclone poses a significant risk to approximately 780,000 individuals across the provinces of Nampula and Zambezia, according to the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management (INGD). Flooding alerts have also been issued for main rivers in Nampula, indicating potential for severe flooding due to heavy rainfall.
In response to the impending disaster, the Mozambique Anticipatory Action (AA) Framework for Cyclones has been activated, enabling rapid disbursement of funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to humanitarian partners. This proactive approach aimed to facilitate anticipatory actions three days before landfall. However, existing humanitarian response capacities are greatly challenged due to ongoing responses to two recent cyclones, Chido and Dikeledi, as well as dealing with food insecurity, conflict, and cholera outbreaks, amidst a decline in overall humanitarian funding.
The Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) reported that Cyclone Jude lingered over Nampula province, forecasted to bring heavy rains exceeding 250 mm within 24 hours and severe thunderstorms. The flood alert issued by the Hydrological Department indicated localized flooding in districts such as Nacala and Ilha de Moçambique. Initial assessments from humanitarian partners indicate considerable damage to infrastructure, including roads and communication lines.
Currently, at least 780,468 individuals are exposed to high-risk conditions along the cyclone’s projected path, with 508,167 in Nampula and an additional 272,302 in Zambezia. Compounding the situation, cholera cases have been reported in both provinces, worsening the health crisis. Recent cholera statistics indicate 36 cases in Nampula and 8 in Zambezia, amidst recovery challenges due to previous cyclones’ effects on healthcare and sanitation services.
Tropical Cyclone Jude is the third cyclone to impact Mozambique in recent months, following Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, which have collectively affected around 684,000 residents. The humanitarian response has only achieved 14 percent of its targeted outreach in providing life-saving assistance in the hardest-hit areas, underscoring the urgent need for increased resources and support for the affected communities.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Jude has severely impacted Mozambique, with significant wind speeds and rainfall forecasting severe flooding, particularly in Nampula and Zambezia provinces. Despite proactive funding and emergency response measures, the humanitarian context remains precarious with ongoing cholera outbreaks and a historical burden from previous cyclones. Immediate action and resources are essential to support the widespread needs of displaced and affected populations.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
