Tropical Cyclone Jude has intensified into a severe storm as of March 11, 2025, affecting weather conditions across Mozambique, particularly in Nampula, with significant rainfall and flooding risks. Approximately 747,000 people face high risk from the cyclone, which also complicates an ongoing cholera outbreak. Relief operations are hampered by substantial infrastructural damage and previous cyclone impacts. Humanitarian efforts remain critically underfunded and overstretched as they respond to multiple ongoing crises.
On March 11, 2025, Tropical Cyclone Jude escalated into a severe tropical storm, profoundly impacting the weather conditions in northern and central Mozambique with rainfalls reaching 100mm in a 24-hour period across nine provinces. Currently, approximately 747,000 individuals are identified as being at a high risk of severe weather and associated flash flooding, while an additional 2.1 million are at a moderate risk in Nampula, Niassa, and Zambezia, as stated by the WFP TC Jude Emergency Impact Analysis.
The Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INAM) issued warnings for continued torrential rains, projecting potential accumulations of 200mm over 24 hours in key provinces. Furthermore, the Hydrological Department in Nampula has raised a flooding alert concerning major rivers, indicating worsening conditions. In light of the cyclone’s approach, the Mozambique Anticipatory Action Framework for Cyclones has been activated to mobilize rapid funds for early humanitarian responses ahead of landfall.
The storm significantly exacerbates the cholera outbreak declared by the Ministry of Health on March 8 in Larde, the fourth affected district in Nampula. Humanitarian response efforts are already stretched due to concurrent crises resulting from two prior cyclones, Chido and Dikeledi, as well as ongoing challenges such as food insecurity, conflict, and political instability in the region.
Tropical Cyclone Jude has since weakened to a severe tropical storm while continuing to release heavy rain across various provinces including Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, and Zambezia. As of the early hours of March 12, the system was tracked near Malawi’s southern border and is now moving southeast towards the Mozambique Channel.
Nampula province has experienced significant devastation, with wind speeds hitting 140 km/h, leading to widespread infrastructural damage. Reports indicate severe impacts on residential structures, roads, and utilities, severely limiting access for relief operations. Essential travel routes are compromised, which undermines humanitarian efforts to reach cut-off communities.
Ongoing evaluations of the situation reveal 27 new cholera cases reported by the Ministry of Health, with challenges persisting in health response efforts due to the destruction from Cyclone Dikeledi and the political unrest from the past elections. Preventive measures against waterborne diseases are critical as potential flooding and population displacements increase vulnerability.
TC Jude represents the third cyclone to strike Mozambique in just three months, following Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi which have already devastated northern provinces. Recovery efforts remain inadequate, with only 14 percent of targeted individuals having received necessary life-saving assistance in four districts, highlighting a critical humanitarian need.
Tropical Cyclone Jude has intensified into a severe tropical storm, causing significant rainfall and putting millions at risk in Mozambique. The cyclone has compounded ongoing humanitarian crises resulting from previous cyclones and health emergencies like cholera outbreaks. As relief efforts confront challenges from damaged infrastructure and high vulnerability, the situation highlights the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management and humanitarian assistance to address both immediate and long-term recovery. The affected populations, already struggling from prior disasters, require robust support and resources to mitigate further suffering.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
