Cyclone Jude has hit Mozambique, causing severe flooding and disruptions. Initially a depression, it intensified into a tropical cyclone with considerable wind speeds and rainfall. While it has weakened, predictions suggest it may regain strength, impacting Madagascar later this week. South Africa is also facing severe weather conditions.
Cyclone Jude has significantly impacted Mozambique, disrupting normal life in the region. Originating as a depression on March 14, it intensified into a tropical storm affecting northern Madagascar by March 15. Initially linked to six deaths and the destruction of 900 homes, Cyclone Jude has been the third cyclone this season to hit Mozambique.
As Cyclone Jude advanced westward across the Mozambique Channel, it developed into a tropical cyclone fueled by high sea surface temperatures. Upon making landfall in Mozambique early today, it brought winds of 120 km/h and gusts of 193 km/h, comparable to a Category 1 hurricane. The storm caused over 200 mm of rainfall in coastal regions like Memba, Monapo, and Nacala, leading to severe flooding.
In the wake of the cyclone, flights have been cancelled, and approximately 40,000 residents are without electricity. While Cyclone Jude has weakened, forecasts indicate it may curve back toward the Mozambique Channel, heading east toward southern Madagascar later in the week. Weather models suggest it could regain cyclone strength, posing a threat to Madagascar’s coastline.
Additionally, South Africa experienced intense thunderstorms on March 13, prompting a Level 6 alert in KwaZulu-Natal for heavy rainfall and flooding. A passing cold front triggered these storms, resulting in around 100 mm of rain within 24 hours, further complicating the regional weather situation.
In summary, Cyclone Jude has wreaked havoc across Mozambique, bringing high winds and significant rainfall, leading to casualties and infrastructure damage. While the cyclone has weakened, it is predicted to intensify again as it approaches Madagascar. The adverse weather conditions in the region are compounded by storms in South Africa, indicating a broader pattern of severe weather affecting southeastern Africa.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
