Northern Mozambique has experienced its third cyclone, Jude, in four months, with winds up to 195 km/h. There are no casualties reported thus far, but the region has faced severe storms this season, including Cyclone Chido and Dikeledi, which caused extensive damage and loss of life. Cyclone Jude is expected to weaken as it moves inland but may intensify towards Madagascar.
Northern Mozambique faced severe weather as Cyclone Jude made landfall on Monday, marking the third cyclone to strike the region within four months. With sustained winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 195 kilometers per hour, the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) reported Jude ultimately weakened into a severe tropical storm with thunderstorms.
Fortunately, there have been no confirmed casualties as of Monday afternoon. The cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean typically spans from November to April, producing approximately a dozen storms annually. Cyclone Chido, which hit in December, resulted in at least 120 fatalities and the destruction of nearly 120,000 homes.
Following Chido, Cyclone Dikeledi occurred in mid-January, leading to the deaths of at least five individuals and damage to nearly 3,500 homes. According to the regional cyclone center in La Reunion, it is anticipated that Jude will weaken further as it moves inland, maintaining proximity to the Mozambique-Malawi border. There remains a potential for the cyclone to intensify as it progresses southwest towards Madagascar.
In summary, Cyclone Jude has resulted in severe weather conditions in northern Mozambique, impacting the region for the third time this cyclone season. While there have been no reports of casualties so far, the previous cyclones have caused significant destruction, leading to numerous fatalities and extensive damage to homes. Vigilance remains as the cyclone is expected to weaken soon yet might pose further threats as it approaches Madagascar.
Original Source: www.ecr.co.za
