Tropical Cyclone Jude has struck Malawi and Mozambique, causing significant damage and displacing thousands but resulting in no reported deaths. Efforts to provide relief face obstacles due to damaged roads, although some aid has begun reaching the affected areas. The cyclone’s immediate threat is receding, with experts noting minimal expected impact from current rains.
Tropical Cyclone Jude impacted southern Africa this week, primarily affecting Malawi and Mozambique, though no fatalities have been reported. The cyclone has caused significant destruction, leaving thousands homeless and disrupting power supplies. Aid agencies are facing challenges in delivering assistance owing to damaged infrastructure.
The cyclone made landfall in northern Mozambique on Sunday and subsequently moved into southern Malawi, unleashing heavy rains across 13 districts from Monday to Wednesday. Preliminary assessments indicate that over 11,000 individuals have been affected, losing crops and properties to the flooding.
Additionally, more than 3,000 people have been displaced, with six evacuation camps established to provide shelter. While there have been no reported deaths, the cyclone has resulted in injuries to 15 individuals from collapsing structures. Rescuers continue to search for three missing persons in Nsanje and Phalombe districts after their boat capsized in a river.
In Mozambique, relief efforts have been severely hindered due to inaccessible areas in Nampula province, where essential roads and bridges have been washed out by the storm. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs emphasized that transportation of relief materials has become arduous due to the damage inflicted on key routes.
In response to the crisis, international aid organizations, along with the Malawian government, commenced relief efforts in reachable areas. The World Food Program has distributed relief supplies in Mulanje district, aided by the UK government’s support.
Experts from the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services have indicated that Cyclone Jude has now moved towards Mozambique, where it is expected to weaken. Although the immediate threat has diminished, concerns about flooding remain, yet the potential impact of ongoing rains is anticipated to be minimal. Cyclone Jude marks the third significant cyclone to hit Mozambique in the last three months, following occurrences of Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi in December and January, respectively.
In summary, Cyclone Jude has caused significant damage and displacement in Malawi and Mozambique, although it has not resulted in any fatalities. Aid agencies are mobilizing to assist affected populations, although challenges remain due to infrastructural damage. Despite concerns about flooding, experts believe that the cyclone’s threat is diminishing. This event illustrates the ongoing vulnerability of the region to severe weather events and the need for a robust response mechanism to manage such disasters effectively.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
