Frelimo urged the Mozambican government to boost aid for victims of Tropical Cyclone Jude, which caused six deaths and significant infrastructure damage. The cyclone disrupted the education of over 17,000 students across several provinces. Historical data indicates that Mozambique has faced numerous cyclones and extreme weather events, stressing the need for effective disaster risk management.
The Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) has urged the government to enhance support for citizens impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jude, which struck on Monday and resulted in six fatalities. Frelimo spokesperson Ludmila Maguni emphasized the need for increased assistance via the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) and the implementation of safety measures.
As reported, Cyclone Jude has affected at least six individuals who lost their lives, with 20 injuries and approximately 9,525 other individuals impacted in the provinces of Nampula, Niassa, and Zambézia. The INGD has shared these statistics as part of their ongoing assessment of the cyclone’s effects.
The cyclone, initiated early Monday with wind speeds reaching 140 km/h and gusts up to 195 km/h, disrupted education by affecting 17,401 students, 264 teachers, 59 schools, and 181 classrooms across the aforementioned provinces, according to Manuel Francisco, a meteorologist from the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM). Post-impact, the storm’s classification shifted back to a severe tropical storm.
This severe weather event occurs during Mozambique’s rainy season (October-April), which has already seen cyclones Chido and Dikeledi impact the northern regions. Previous cyclones between December and January notably affected around 736,000 individuals mainly in Cabo Delgado and Nampula, leading to significant infrastructure damage.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) reveals that extreme weather phenomena have resulted in at least 1,016 deaths in Mozambique from 2019 to 2023, impacting around 4.9 million people. Mozambique is suffering severe consequences due to climate change, frequently facing cyclones, storms, and droughts during its rainy season.
Frelimo has called for urgent support from the government for victims of Cyclone Jude following its destructive impact on Mozambique. With numerous injuries and fatalities reported, education systems have also faced significant disruptions. Historical data illustrates the impact of similar extreme weather events on the country, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced disaster management strategies.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
