Mozambique Faces Severe Threat from Tropical Cyclone Jude: Flash Update March 2025

Tropical Cyclone Jude made landfall on 10 March 2025 in Mozambique with winds up to 195 km/h, affecting around 780,000 people. The response is hampered by previous cyclone impacts and ongoing cholera cases, as funding remains critically low. Inundation risks are present across several provinces, with health facilities severely disrupted, preventing effective disaster response.

On 10 March 2025, Tropical Cyclone Jude made landfall in the Mossuril district of Nampula province, generating maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 195 km/h. The National Institute for Disaster Risk Management (INGD) reports that approximately 780,000 individuals are at risk due to potential high winds and torrential rains. Flood alerts have been issued for major rivers in Nampula province.

In response to the cyclone, the Mozambique Anticipatory Action (AA) Framework was activated, leading to the swift allocation of funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for emergency actions. The humanitarian sector is currently stretched thin, tasked with simultaneous responses to previous cyclones, cholera outbreaks, food insecurity, and growing conflicts, all amid declining funding. The Tropical Cyclones Flash Appeal is currently funded at only 0.2 percent.

The Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) indicates that Cyclone Jude is expected to remain over the Nampula region until the evening on 10 March, accompanied by heavy rainfall potentially exceeding 250 mm within 24 hours. Severe thunderstorms could cause flooding across provinces including Nampula, Zambezia, Cabo Delgado, and Sofala. Initial assessments report damage to homes and infrastructure, prompting preparedness efforts from pre-deployed INGD and IOM-DTM teams for quick evaluations after the storm.

Affected populations include 508,167 individuals in Nampula and 272,302 in Zambezia, with the cholera outbreak further complicating conditions in both provinces. Recent reports show 36 cholera cases in Nampula and eight in Zambezia over the past 24 hours. Flaws in health and sanitation facilities due to past cyclones are hampering effective health responses, while misinformation and violence against healthcare workers have exacerbated the situation. Furthermore, flooding and forced evacuations may result in the spread of cholera to new areas.

Cyclone Jude marks the third cyclone to impact Mozambique in a short span, following Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, which together affected 684,000 people. The humanitarian response has struggled to reach only 14 percent of the targeted individuals in four districts, leaving many still vulnerable in Nampula.

Tropical Cyclone Jude has significantly impacted Mozambique, particularly in the Nampula province, resulting in widespread risk to approximately 780,000 people. The situation is exacerbated by previous cyclones and ongoing humanitarian challenges, including cholera outbreaks and resource limitations. A coordinated response has been initiated, but the effectiveness of aid remains compromised, highlighting the urgent need for increased support and resources to address these crises.

Original Source: reliefweb.int