Mozambique Braces for Severe Tropical Cyclone Impact in March 2025

Mozambique is on alert for a Severe Tropical Cyclone forecasted to impact Nampula on 9 March. The Anticipatory Action Framework has been activated with support from the Central Emergency Response Fund. The region, still recovering from prior cyclones affecting 455,000 people, is also facing a cholera outbreak with 915 reported cases.

Mozambique is bracing for an imminent weather disturbance predicted to transform into a Severe Tropical Cyclone, impacting primarily the Nampula province on 9 March. Initial forecasts indicate that this system will first manifest as a severe tropical storm, subsequently intensifying into a full-fledged cyclone. In anticipation of this event, the Anticipatory Action (AA) Framework has been activated, and the Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated resources to humanitarian partners for proactive measures prior to the cyclone’s arrival.

The impending cyclone follows the devastation experienced by Nampula Province due to Tropical Cyclone Chido in December 2024 and Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi in January 2025, which collectively affected 455,000 individuals. The current weather system, designated as low-pressure system 12-20242025, originated in the Indian Ocean and is projected to travel towards Madagascar before re-entering the Mozambique Channel, where it is expected to gain strength.

As it transitions across Madagascar on 7 March, the system will emerge in the Mozambique Channel the following day and will likely strike the northern coast of Mozambique. The provinces, including Nampula, Zambezia, and Cabo Delgado, are predicted to experience severe weather conditions characterized by heavy rainfall and powerful winds. Additionally, there is an ongoing cholera outbreak reported in Nampula and Zambezia, with 915 cases and 29 fatalities recorded as of 7 March 2025.

In summary, Mozambique is preparing for the potential impacts of a Severe Tropical Cyclone expected to reach Nampula on 9 March. The activation of the Anticipatory Action Framework underscores the urgency of humanitarian preparedness. This cyclone follows a concerning trend of severe weather events impacting the region, highlighting the need for continued vigilance in the face of ongoing health crises such as cholera.

Original Source: www.unocha.org