Mozambique faces a growing cyclone crisis with three storms in three months—Chido, Dikeledi, and Jude—displacing thousands and straining resources. The frequency of cyclones is on the rise, prompting calls for increased disaster preparedness and infrastructure investment. This intensifying weather pattern highlights vulnerabilities within the population, as humanitarian efforts are overwhelmed by repeated storms. The country’s future remains uncertain amidst ongoing cyclone threats.
Mozambique is currently facing a severe cyclone crisis, having been hit by three cyclones in just three months. This series of storms—Chido, Dikeledi, and Jude—has prompted concerns that such extreme weather patterns may become a regular occurrence, posing significant challenges to one of the world’s most impoverished regions. The influx of humanitarian needs is overwhelming, and thousands remain displaced as recovery efforts are initiated.
The cyclone season in Mozambique traditionally lasts from November to April, but the intensity of this year’s events has raised alarms. Cyclone Chido devastated the region in mid-December, resulting in at least 120 fatalities before moving to Mozambique from Mayotte. Cyclone Dikeledi followed in January, claiming at least five lives, while Cyclone Jude struck recently with winds reaching 195 km/h (120 mph), leading to significant destruction and at least 16 reported deaths in Mozambique.
Cyclone Jude affected around 420,000 individuals across Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique, and the locations of Jude and Dikeledi’s landfall were nearly identical in Nampula province, approximately 1,400 km (870 miles) from Maputo. The repeated nature of these disasters is exacerbating the struggles of communities that are still recovering from previous storms. Vulnerable populations in remote areas face dire challenges due to inadequate preparedness against such climate shocks.
Guy Taylor from UNICEF highlighted that by the time Cyclone Jude hit, Nampula’s river basins and dams were nearly at full capacity, worsening the consequences of the storm. Humanitarian supplies are dwindling as the relentless storms continue. Mozambique has a history of severe cyclones; notably, Cyclone Idai in 2019 resulted in over 600 casualties. Recent trends indicate a rise in the frequency of cyclones, with meteorologists reporting a spike in storms from six to seven per decade to 10 storms in the last six seasons alone.
Rising ocean temperatures in the Mozambique Channel are believed to contribute to the increased intensity and frequency of cyclones. Langlade noted that this season alone, eight out of eleven recorded tropical storms reached cyclone intensity, significantly exceeding the typical ratio of 50 percent. While the future link between this trend and climate change remains unclear, the implications for Mozambique’s disaster preparedness are urgent.
Experts emphasize the need for investments in disaster readiness and infrastructure. UNICEF is actively working to enhance resilience, exemplified by their construction of over 1,000 cyclone-resistant classrooms. Taylor stated that such initiatives underscore the necessity for resilience investments: “Because if you don’t, it’s almost like not having infrastructure at all—since it just gets knocked down time and time again.” With the cyclone season still continuing, Mozambique’s outlook remains uncertain, and organizations are gearing up for the possibility of further storms.
Mozambique is grappling with an increasing cyclone crisis, reflected by the recent severe storms Chido, Dikeledi, and Jude. The frequency of such extreme weather events is markedly rising, posing serious challenges to a nation already burdened by poverty and inadequate infrastructure. Experts assert the urgency for enhanced disaster preparedness, advocating for strategic investments in resilience to mitigate future storm impacts. The situation remains precarious as aid organizations prepare for potential further cyclones during this ongoing season.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
