Mozambique’s provinces of Nampula and Zambézia are under threat from Cyclone Judy, potentially affecting 341,000 people with heavy rainfall and strong winds. Emergency measures are being implemented as authorities await possible flooding and infrastructure damage. The cyclone’s impact may extend beyond these provinces, prompting additional preparedness actions from local and national organizations.
Mozambique is currently facing the impending threat of Tropical Cyclone Judy, with the provinces of Nampula and Zambézia at particular risk. An estimated 341,000 individuals may be impacted by heavy rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters within a 24-hour period, coupled with strong winds reaching gusts of 150 kilometers per hour. The cyclone is expected to make landfall early today and could persist until Wednesday.
The potential devastation includes damage to 100 health facilities and 900 schools, the inundation of 82,000 hectares of agricultural land, the compromise of eight electrical substations, and significant road impairments due to flooding from swollen river basins. The risk was highlighted by the Technical Council for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction in Maputo, which has mobilized teams to encourage evacuations from high-risk zones.
According to Anacleta Botão, a delegate from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), the cyclone is anticipated to impact 23 districts in Nampula. INGD’s spokesperson, Paulo Tomás, emphasized that emergency operational committees are prepared to provide support, with provisions for 65,000 individuals already in coordination. He noted the importance of pre-positioning resources in high-risk areas in anticipation of traffic disruptions.
Agostinho Vilanculos, head of Water Resources Management, indicated that the majority of coastal river basins, such as Nicobor, Monapo, Mongecual, Melela, Licungo, and Lingonha, are already at elevated levels. He cautioned that increased rainfall could severely hinder transportation in coastal districts where infrastructure is vulnerable, particularly in Quelimane.
In light of the circumstances, the INGD has warned drivers against traveling in affected areas and has requested inspections of at-risk bridges by the National Road Administration. Additionally, Dorival Muterenda, director of Meteorological Forecasting at INAM, stated that Cyclone Judy is likely to influence weather patterns beyond Nampula and Zambézia, extending to Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Tete, and Sofala, with expected rain primarily impacting coastal regions.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Judy presents a significant threat to the provinces of Nampula and Zambézia in Mozambique. An extensive number of individuals are at risk of extreme weather conditions leading to possible flooding and infrastructural damage. Preparedness measures and community support are critical amid this weather crisis, as authorities mobilize resources to ensure safety and mitigate the effects of the cyclone.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
