Cyclone Jude has left 272,757 people in Nampula, Mozambique, without electricity, causing significant infrastructural damage and casualties. The cyclone’s impact extends to numerous schools and individuals, with current estimates indicating severe damage costs. Emergency measures are activated to assist the affected populations amidst ongoing rainy season challenges.
Cyclone Jude has significantly impacted Nampula province in northern Mozambique, leaving approximately 272,757 customers without electricity. The Mozambican electricity company, Eletricidade de Mozambique (EDM), reported extensive damage, including 74 kilometers of medium and low voltage lines, the collapse of six transformer stations, and two high voltage towers affecting service to Nampula, Angoche, and Nacala substations, supplying 15 districts and various neighborhoods.
The estimated damage from the cyclone is around 100 million meticais (approximately €1.4 million). While some restoration of power has been achieved in the cities of Nampula, Nacala, and districts like Monapo and Liupo, access roads remain blocked, complicating efforts to restore services to all affected areas.
Casualties from Cyclone Jude include at least six fatalities and over 20 injuries, as reported by the National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD). Additionally, the cyclone has affected 9,525 individuals, 17,401 schoolchildren, 264 teachers, and numerous schools in Nampula, Niassa, and Zambézia.
Upon entering Mozambique with winds of 140 kilometers per hour, Cyclone Jude diminished to a severe tropical storm but remains capable of producing heavy rainfall up to 250 millimeters. According to meteorologist Manuel Francisco, the upcoming days could see varied storm intensity levels, with emergency measures in place to assist an anticipated 341,000 individuals.
This event occurs within Mozambique’s rainy season, which lasts from October to April. The region has previously experienced cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, causing substantial devastation to public and private sectors and impacting approximately 736,000 individuals between December and January last year. Mozambique faces ongoing challenges from extreme weather patterns, including cyclones and droughts, with significant mortality and disruption reported from 2019 to 2023. As a nation disproportionately affected by climate change, Mozambique continues to confront the severe impacts of these natural disasters.
Cyclone Jude has inflicted substantial damage on Mozambique’s Nampula province, resulting in widespread power outages and significant human suffering. The cyclone’s effects, including casualties and damage assessments, highlight the urgent need for disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies. With emergency measures underway, Mozambique must continue to address the growing threat of extreme weather patterns exacerbated by climate change.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
