Devastation Wrought by Cyclone Jude in East Africa: An Overview
Cyclone Jude has resulted in 17 deaths across Mozambique and Madagascar, with widespread injuries and displacement. Approximately 400,000 people have been affected, with significant infrastructure damage reported. Humanitarian efforts are crucial to assist the populations impacted by the cyclone, which has caused extensive flooding and power outages.
Cyclone Jude has caused significant devastation across East Africa, particularly in Mozambique and Madagascar. The latest report from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) indicates that sixteen fatalities occurred in Mozambique and one in Madagascar, with over 130 individuals injured and four missing as of March 18.
Additionally, ECHO estimates that more than 10,500 people were displaced in Madagascar, while almost 5,000 faced displacement in Malawi. In total, approximately 400,000 individuals have been affected across the three countries impacted by the cyclone.
The cyclone made its initial landfall in northern Madagascar on March 8, leading to massive displacement as thousands sought refuge in temporary shelters. After intensifying over the Mozambique Channel, Cyclone Jude struck the coastal district of Mossuril in Mozambique’s Nampula province on March 10, bringing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and gusts up to 195 kph, accompanied by heavy rainfall that caused significant flooding.
Consequently, flights in the region were cancelled or delayed, and approximately 900 houses were destroyed in Mozambique. The World Food Programme reported flooding of 49,593 hectares of cropland in Monapo, while a cholera outbreak was reported in Larde, Nampula. A UNICEF spokesperson highlighted that pre-existing conditions, such as full river basins and dams, exacerbated the flooding situation, leading to over 400,000 power outages in Nampula.
Prior to the cyclone’s landfall in northern Mozambique, the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund allocated $6 million for early warning systems and the provision of shelter supplies, hygiene, and water treatment products. Following its path through Malawi, which experienced heavy rainfall between March 10 and 12, Cyclone Jude returned to Mozambique.
The destruction across Mozambique is severe, with OCHA reporting that 70,000 homes, 247 schools, and numerous health facilities and water systems were either wholly or partially destroyed. Cyclone Jude is notable for being the third cyclone to hit Mozambique in under three months, after Chido and Dikeledi in December and January, respectively.
On March 15, the cyclone made landfall again in Madagascar’s southern region, leading to the destruction of 89 classrooms and partial damage to 182 others, leaving 48,000 students unable to attend school. OCHA stated that this was the first instance of a strong weather system crossing the entire southern region of Madagascar, impacting several districts, including Ampanihy, Bekily, Beloha, and Tsihombe, where access for aid delivery is currently restricted.
In summary, Cyclone Jude has inflicted catastrophic damage in East Africa, resulting in numerous fatalities, injuries, and significant displacement. The cyclone has prompted a humanitarian crisis, with critical infrastructure severely impacted, including homes, schools, and health facilities. The response from humanitarian organizations, alongside preemptive measures taken by the U.N., is essential to aid affected populations and mitigate further disasters.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
