Tropical Cyclone Jude made landfall in Mozambique, impacting multiple provinces with severe weather conditions. Initial data suggests fewer than 5,000 directly affected, while projections indicate potentially up to 275,000 individuals may face impacts. The Shelter Cluster is coordinating efforts to assess needs and support affected communities.
On March 6, 2025, a low-pressure system emerged over the southwestern Indian Ocean, ultimately developing into Tropical Cyclone Jude. This cyclone made landfall in the Mossuril district of Nampula province on March 10, bringing extreme winds reaching 195 km/h and heavy rainfall surpassing 250 mm within 24 hours. Once it weakened to a severe tropical storm, Jude continued to adversely affect the northeastern Zambezia province, particularly in the Gilé and Pebane districts, with heavy rainfall persisting as it approached the Mozambique Channel until its expected exit on March 13. Flood alerts are currently in effect for several provinces, including Nampula, Zambezia, Tete, Manica, and Sofala.
Initially released impact data from the government shows significant discrepancies, resulting in challenges for accurately estimating the number of affected individuals and the extent of infrastructure damage. While preliminary assessments indicate that fewer than 5,000 people may be affected, projections from government and humanitarian sources suggest that between 120,000 and 275,000 individuals could ultimately face impacts from Tropical Storm Jude.
In response to the crisis, the Shelter Cluster has undertaken thorough mapping of its capabilities in the affected provinces. This includes identifying partners with physical presence, assessing deployment capabilities, and outlining stock delivery resources as well as response measures. Furthermore, there is ongoing close coordination with local authorities to facilitate effective communication and information exchange regarding the disaster response. Partners are prepared to conduct needs assessments as soon as conditions permit.
The cluster coordination is also planning to deploy to Quelimane city to enhance support for various activities. An assessment detailing the number of individuals in need, the targeted population, response activities, and requisite financial resources has been submitted to OCHA for the Flash Appeal update.
The situation in Mozambique remains critical following the onset of Tropical Cyclone Jude, with thousands projected to be affected. Accurate data collection and response coordination are essential to addressing the needs of the impacted populations. The Shelter Cluster’s proactive mapping of resources and coordination with local authorities demonstrates a commitment to effective disaster response.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
