Mozambique faces potential severe tropical cyclone threats on 9 March, impacting Nampula province and nearby areas, following recent cyclones that affected 455,000 people. An anticipatory framework has been activated, with resources mobilized to mitigate damage. A cholera outbreak is also ongoing in the affected regions.
Mozambique is bracing for the impending impact of a new weather system, forecasted to develop into a Severe Tropical Cyclone. The system, designated as System 12-20242025, is set to affect Nampula province on 9 March, initially manifesting as a severe tropical storm before intensifying into a full cyclone. The Central Emergency Response Fund has mobilized resources for humanitarian partners to implement anticipatory actions ahead of the expected impact.
The new system has emerged as a low-pressure area in the Indian Ocean and is currently on a trajectory toward Madagascar. Anticipated to reach Madagascar’s east coast as a moderate tropical storm on the evening of 07 March, the system will then traverse Madagascar and re-enter the Mozambique Channel on 08 March. Upon its approach to Mozambique, Nampula, Zambezia, and Cabo Delgado provinces are expected to experience substantial rainfall and strong winds.
Nampula province has already endured significant challenges during the 2024/2025 rainy and cyclonic season, having faced the impacts of Tropical Cyclones Chido in December 2024 and Dikeledi in January 2025. These earlier cyclones affected approximately 455,000 individuals. Compounding these issues, a cholera outbreak has been recorded in Nampula and Zambezia, which has led to 915 cases and 29 reported deaths as of 7 March.
In summary, Mozambique is preparing for the severe repercussions of a new tropical cyclone predicted to impact Nampula province and nearby areas. With recent disasters still fresh in memory, the timely allocation of resources for anticipatory actions is vital. The ongoing cholera outbreak exacerbates the already precarious situation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive emergency responses.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
