Tropical Cyclone Jude impacted Mozambique on 10 March 2025, affecting approximately 780,000 people at risk due to high winds and heavy rainfall. Flooding alerts are in effect, and humanitarian efforts are complicated by prior cyclone responses and ongoing health crises. The recovery remains underfunded and challenged by infrastructure damage and cholera outbreaks.
On 10 March 2025, Tropical Cyclone Jude struck the Mossuril district of Nampula province, bringing maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h and gusts reaching 195 km/h. At least 780,000 individuals are in danger due to the predicted high winds and torrential rains, particularly in Nampula and Zambezia provinces. The Hydrological Department has issued flooding alerts for several major rivers in the area.
In response to the impending cyclone, the Mozambique Anticipatory Action Framework was activated, with funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund allocated to humanitarian partners three days in advance for proactive measures. However, humanitarian resources are currently stretched thin due to simultaneous aid efforts for prior cyclones, as well as ongoing crises such as cholera outbreaks, food insecurity, and political unrest. The funding for the Tropical Cyclones Flash Appeal stands at a mere 0.2 percent.
Cyclone Jude is predicted to persist over Nampula throughout the day, causing heavy rainfall—potentially exceeding 250 mm—along with severe thunderstorms leading to floods across several provinces. Preliminary assessments indicate infrastructure damage, including impacts on homes, roads, and utilities, while emergency teams are poised for rapid assessments.
A significant number of individuals at risk includes 508,167 in Nampula and 272,302 in Zambezia. Additionally, cholera cases have surfaced in both provinces, with reports of 36 and 8 cases respectively. The ongoing cholera response is hindered by previous cyclone damage, misinformation, and community tensions against health workers.
Tropical Storm Jude marks the third cyclone to strike Mozambique within three months, following Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, which have collectively affected over 684,000 people. Recovery efforts in Nampula from past cyclones remain inadequate, with only 14 percent of the targeted population receiving urgent assistance in four districts.
The landfall of Tropical Cyclone Jude has posed significant risks to over 780,000 people in Mozambique, particularly in Nampula and Zambezia provinces. With concurrent humanitarian crises ongoing, resources remain critically overwhelmed. As Mozambique faces challenges from multiple cyclones in recent months, response efforts are essential, yet severely constrained by funding shortages and infrastructure losses from previous disasters.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
