Cyclone Jude has killed 17 people and injured over 130 across East Africa, displacing thousands and affecting 400,000 individuals. Critical infrastructure has been destroyed, particularly in Mozambique and Madagascar, with extensive agricultural losses and a cholera outbreak reported. Despite early warning efforts, response challenges remain significant due to the cyclone’s destructive path.
Cyclone Jude has caused significant devastation in East Africa, leading to the deaths of 17 individuals, with 16 in Mozambique and one in Madagascar, as reported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). Injuries have affected over 130 people, with four individuals currently missing. More than 10,500 people have been displaced in Madagascar, and almost 5,000 in Malawi, contributing to a total of 400,000 affected across the region.
The cyclonic activity began in northern Madagascar on March 8, displacing thousands into temporary shelters, as per the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). After intensifying over the Mozambique Channel, Cyclone Jude made landfall on March 10 in Mozambique’s Mossuril district, where it recorded winds of 140 kph, gusting to 195 kph, resulting in heavy rainfall exceeding 250 mm within 24 hours, causing extensive flooding.
The destruction in Mozambique included the demolition of 900 houses, flight cancellations, and significant agricultural loss, with the flooding impacting 49,593 hectares of cropland. Moreover, a cholera outbreak was reported in Larde, and more than 400,000 experienced power outages in Nampula. Ahead of the cyclone’s arrival, the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund allocated $6 million to facilitate preparedness and response efforts.
Between March 10 and 12, Cyclone Jude introduced heavy rains to Malawi before returning to Mozambique. The damage was extensive, with 70,000 houses, 247 schools, and 72 health facilities reported as either destroyed or partially damaged. The event marked the third cyclone strike in Mozambique within three months, following Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi.
On March 15, the cyclone returned to Madagascar, affecting southern regions. Schools were significantly impacted, with 89 classrooms destroyed and 182 partially damaged. OCHA noted that this marked the first instance of a powerful weather system traversing Madagascar’s southern region, resulting in severe flooding and damage in multiple districts that remain inaccessible for relief efforts.
In conclusion, Cyclone Jude has resulted in tragic loss of life and extensive damage across East Africa, particularly in Mozambique and Madagascar. The overwhelming impact includes thousands displaced, significant agricultural losses, and a cholera outbreak. Furthermore, the response efforts have been hindered by the destruction of infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of these regions to extreme weather events.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
