Northern Mozambique Faces Third Cyclone in Four Months: Cyclone Jude Hits
Northern Mozambique has been struck by Cyclone Jude, marking the third cyclone in four months. While winds peaked at 140 km/h with gusts of 195 km/h, there have been no reported casualties. Previous cyclones caused significant loss of life and destruction. The cyclone is expected to weaken but could intensify as it moves southwest toward Madagascar.
Northern Mozambique is currently experiencing severe weather as Cyclone Jude has made landfall, marking the third cyclone to impact the region in a period of four months. The National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) reported that Cyclone Jude hit with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 195 kilometers per hour. Although the storm subsequently weakened to a severe tropical storm, it continues to pose a threat due to expected thunderstorms.
Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties as of Monday afternoon. The cyclone season in this part of the southwestern Indian Ocean typically spans from November to April, with around twelve storms occurring each year. Previous cyclones have had devastating effects on the region, with Cyclone Chido claiming at least 120 lives and damaging nearly 120,000 homes in December, and Cyclone Dikeledi resulting in five fatalities and significant destruction in mid-January.
The regional cyclone center, located in La Reunion, anticipates that Cyclone Jude will weaken as it moves inland and approaches the Mozambique-Malawi border. However, there is a possibility that the cyclone may intensify again while heading southwest toward Madagascar, according to the center’s warning.
In summary, Northern Mozambique is grappling with the impacts of Cyclone Jude, which is the third cyclone to strike the region within a span of four months. The psychological effects and property destruction from prior storms, such as Cyclone Chido and Cyclone Dikeledi, highlight the severity of the cyclone season. Continued monitoring is crucial as the storm progresses towards inland areas and possibly Madagascar.
Original Source: www.ecr.co.za
