Cyclone Jude Devastates East Africa: 17 Fatalities and Widespread Destruction

Cyclone Jude caused 17 deaths, with significant damage across Madagascar and Mozambique. More than 400,000 people were affected, and extensive property and infrastructure damage was reported, including the destruction of homes and schools. Humanitarian organizations are responding to the crisis, highlighting the urgent need for aid in the impacted areas.

Cyclone Jude has resulted in the tragic loss of 17 lives, with 16 fatalities reported in Mozambique and one in Madagascar, as detailed in the latest report by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). The storm has also injured more than 130 individuals and left four people missing as of March 18. In total, ECHO estimates that over 10,500 people were displaced in Madagascar, nearly 5,000 in Malawi, and approximately 400,000 across the three affected countries.

The cyclone initially struck northern Madagascar on March 8, displacing thousands of residents into temporary shelters, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Following its landfall in Mozambique’s Mossuril district on March 10, Cyclone Jude intensified, unleashing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph (87 mph) and gusts up to 195 kph (121 mph), accompanied by significant rainfall exceeding 250 millimeters (9.8 inches) within 24 hours. The flooding resulted in widespread devastation across coastal districts of Mozambique.

In Mozambique alone, approximately 900 residential structures were destroyed, and interruptions to flight schedules were recorded, as reported by The Guardian. Furthermore, the World Food Programme indicated that nearly 49,593 hectares (122,547 acres) of agriculture in Monapo, Nampula, were inundated. Additionally, OCHA noted a cholera outbreak in Larde, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

A spokesperson for UNICEF highlighted that the already full river basins and dams in Nampula amplified the severity of the flooding. The cyclone caused power outages affecting over 400,000 individuals in Nampula. Ahead of the storm’s impact, the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund had allocated $6 million for preparedness measures, including supplies for early warning systems and hygiene.

Cyclone Jude passed through Malawi from March 10 to 12, leaving significant rainfall in its wake before returning to Mozambique. By March 18, OCHA reported extensive structural damage, with 70,000 homes, 247 schools, 72 health facilities, and critical infrastructure including 48 water systems and 18 bridges impacted, plus significant damage to 73 km (45 miles) of electricity lines in Mozambique.

Cyclone Jude is notable as the third cyclone to strike Mozambique within a three-month period, following Cyclone Chido in December and Cyclone Dikeledi in January. On March 15, it made landfall in Madagascar again, primarily affecting its southern region. Impact assessments indicated that educational institutions suffered greatly, with the destruction of 89 classrooms and partial damage to 182 others, impacting 48,000 students as of March 18. OCHA described this storm as unprecedented, highlighting significant barriers to aid delivery in inaccessible districts such as Ampanihy, Bekily, Beloha, and Tsihombe.

In summary, Cyclone Jude has tragically impacted multiple regions in East Africa, leading to significant loss of life, extensive injuries, and substantial displacement of populations. The cyclone has caused critical infrastructure damage and agricultural destruction, complicating already strained humanitarian conditions. The coordinated response efforts by organizations like ECHO and OCHA reveal the pressing need for aid and preparedness in the wake of such natural disasters, especially as recurrent cyclonic activities amplify vulnerabilities in these regions.

Original Source: news.mongabay.com