Tropical Cyclone Jude Impacts Mozambique: Update and Humanitarian Response

As of 11 March 2025, Tropical Cyclone Jude has intensified, leaving 747,000 at high risk across nine provinces in Mozambique. INAM warns of further torrential rain, and early action has been initiated amidst an ongoing cholera outbreak. Humanitarian efforts are hampered by damaged infrastructure and prior cyclones, leading to a concerning health situation.

As of 11 March 2025, Tropical Cyclone Jude has intensified into a severe tropical storm impacting Nampula province in Mozambique. The system is bringing heavy rainfall of up to 100mm in a 24-hour period across nine provinces. Currently, 747,000 individuals are at high risk, with an estimated 2.1 million facing moderate risk from high winds and potential flash flooding, particularly affecting Nampula, Niassa, and Zambezia.

The Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INAM) has warned of further torrential rains, predicting accumulations of up to 200mm within 24 hours in the affected provinces. Concurrently, the Hydrological Department in Nampula has raised alerts concerning potential flooding from major rivers. These alerts underscore the urgency of the situation as the humanitarian community mobilizes resources.

In response to the impending disaster, the Mozambique Anticipatory Action Framework for Cyclones has been activated, utilizing funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to facilitate early action initiatives. Fortunately, proactive measures aim to mitigate the cyclone’s detrimental effects, especially with the escalating cholera outbreak declared on 8 March in Larde, affecting the health of communities already strained by previous disasters.

As the storm continues, prior disasters, including Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, have severely stretched humanitarian response resources. Response efforts are constrained by simultaneous crises such as cholera, political unrest, and food insecurity.

The situation remains grim as the cyclone has disrupted infrastructure, damaging roads, electricity, and telecommunication lines. Relief operations have faced significant challenges due to access issues, with key transport routes severely compromised, hindering aid delivery to the affected areas.

Reports indicate that at least 27 new cholera cases were reported on 11 March, underscoring the public health risks exacerbated by Cyclone Jude. Preparedness for waterborne diseases is critical as flooding and population movements could further complicate the health response.

With TC Jude being the third cyclone in the region in just three months, the socioeconomic impacts continue to unfold, particularly in Nampula, where recovery from previous cyclones is ongoing and insufficient. Humanitarian assistance remains markedly inadequate, reaching only 14 percent of the population in need within certain districts. This situation necessitates renewed efforts to bolster humanitarian action and support resilient recovery.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Jude has severely affected Mozambique, particularly the Nampula province, creating extensive risks of flooding and cholera outbreaks. With 747,000 individuals at high risk, the humanitarian response remains critically hindered due to infrastructure damage and previous disaster impacts. Continued monitoring and resource mobilization are essential to mitigate further health crises and facilitate recovery efforts for the affected populations.

Original Source: reliefweb.int