Cyclone Jude resulted in 17 deaths across Mozambique and Madagascar, displacing thousands and affecting 400,000 people total. It made significant landfall on March 8 in Madagascar, moving to Mozambique, causing heavy rainfall and extensive infrastructural damage. Preparations were made to mitigate damages, though the effects remain severe, particularly in terms of displacement and cholera outbreaks.
Cyclone Jude tragically resulted in 17 fatalities, with 16 casualties reported in Mozambique and one in Madagascar, as noted in a recent ECHO report. Additionally, more than 130 individuals sustained injuries and four were reported missing. The cyclone has displaced over 10,500 people in Madagascar and nearly 5,000 in Malawi, affecting at least 400,000 across the three impacted countries.
The cyclone made landfall in northern Madagascar on March 8, leading to thousands seeking temporary shelter, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Cyclone Jude strengthened as it traveled west over the Mozambique Channel, striking Mozambique’s Mossuril district on March 10 with winds reaching up to 140 kph (87 mph) and gusts of 195 kph (121 mph). The cyclone also brought torrential rainfall exceeding 250 millimeters (9.8 inches) within 24 hours, triggering significant flooding.
Consequently, flights in the region faced cancellations and delays, while approximately 900 houses were destroyed in Mozambique. The flooding affected around 49,593 hectares (122,547 acres) of farmland, as noted by the World Food Programme, and a cholera outbreak was reported in the Nampula region. Power outages impacted over 400,000 residents in Nampula due to the flooding, exacerbated by already full river basins and dams, according to a UNICEF spokesperson.
Prior to the cyclone’s impact, the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund allocated $6 million for preparatory measures, including early warnings and supply distributions. Cyclone Jude traveled through Malawi from March 10 to 12, followed by a return to Mozambique. By March 18, OCHA reported significant infrastructure losses in Mozambique, including 70,000 homes and hundreds of schools and health facilities damaged or destroyed.
Having previously experienced two other cyclones, Jude marked the third significant storm to hit Mozambique in under three months. It made another landfall on Madagascar’s southern tip on March 15, where OCHA reported extensive damage to schools, leaving 48,000 students unable to attend class. Furthermore, this event represents a historic strong weather system traversing the entire southern region of Madagascar, as various districts remain unreachable for U.N. assistance.
Cyclone Jude has caused devastating effects in East Africa, leading to numerous fatalities, injuries, and widespread displacement. With 17 confirmed deaths, significant infrastructural damage, and severe flooding, immediate humanitarian responses are crucial. The cyclone’s impact is unprecedented, particularly in Madagascar where access for aid remains hindered.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
