Cyclone Jude has led to significant power outages in Nampula, affecting over 272,000 customers. The cyclone caused multiple fatalities, numerous injuries, and impacted educational facilities. Emergency response efforts are underway to assist the affected populations in the wake of this severe weather event.
Cyclone Jude has resulted in power outages affecting 272,757 customers across various districts in Nampula province, Mozambique. The tropical cyclone adversely impacted the electrical infrastructure, damaging 74 kilometers of medium and low voltage lines, leading to the collapse of six transformer stations and two high voltage towers, as reported by Eletricidade de Mozambique (EDM).
The cyclone’s repercussions extend to the Nampula, Angoche, and Nacala substations, which supply electricity to approximately 15 districts. The damage is estimated at 100 million meticais (approximately €1.4 million). While access roads are currently blocked, EDM has managed to restore power to parts of several cities, including Nampula and Nacala.
The cyclone caused at least six fatalities, injured 20 individuals, and affected 9,525 people across the Nampula, Niassa, and Zambézia provinces. On the educational front, 17,401 schoolchildren, along with 264 teachers, were impacted, with damage reported at 59 schools and 181 classrooms in the affected areas.
Cyclone Jude, which entered Mozambique with wind speeds of 140 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 195 kilometers per hour, has since diminished to a severe tropical storm, though further rainfall of up to 250 millimeters is expected. The National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD) has indicated that around 341,000 individuals may be affected by the cyclone, with emergency operational committees activated to coordinate assistance.
As Mozambique experiences its rainy season from October to April, cyclones and storms have been prevalent, previously affecting around 736,000 individuals and causing extensive damage to infrastructure. Between 2019 and 2023, extreme weather events resulted in over 1,000 deaths in the country, highlighting the vulnerability of Mozambique to the impacts of climate change.
In conclusion, Cyclone Jude has caused substantial damage in Nampula province, affecting electricity supply for over 272,000 customers and leading to multiple fatalities and injuries. The cyclone’s destruction emphasizes the ongoing vulnerability of Mozambique to extreme weather events amid its rainy season. Efforts are being made to provide assistance and restore normalcy, with considerable resources mobilized to aid those impacted.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
