Frelimo has urged the Mozambican government to increase aid for victims of Tropical Cyclone Jude, which has resulted in six fatalities and widespread damage across northern and central provinces. The cyclone has severely impacted education, with thousands affected. Mozambique’s vulnerability to climate change is highlighted as the country faces ongoing severe weather events each rainy season.
On Monday, the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) urged the government to enhance support for the victims of Tropical Cyclone Jude, which has claimed six lives thus far. Ludmila Maguni, a spokesperson for Frelimo’s Political Commission, emphasized the need for the government, particularly through the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), to provide increased assistance and implement protective measures for affected populations.
Cyclone Jude has had a devastating impact, reporting six casualties, twenty injuries, and affecting approximately 9,525 individuals in the northern provinces of Nampula and Niassa, as well as in Zambézia. The cyclone also disrupted education, impacting 17,401 students, 264 teachers, 59 schools, and 181 classrooms. Manuel Francisco, a meteorologist from the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM), noted that the cyclone brought winds of 140 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching up to 195 kilometers per hour.
After entering Mozambique, the cyclone downgraded to a severe tropical storm. According to forecasts, it may fluctuate between moderate and severe storm classification in the coming days. The country is currently experiencing the rainy season, which spans from October to April, a period already marked by other cyclones, such as Chido and Dikeledi, which struck between December and January.
These previous cyclones devastated regions including Cabo Delgado and Nampula, affecting approximately 736,000 people and damaging critical infrastructure. Between 2019 and 2023, extreme weather events in Mozambique have reportedly led to at least 1,016 fatalities and impacted around 4.9 million people. Mozambique remains vulnerable to the effects of climate change, frequently experiencing cyclones, floods, and prolonged droughts during the rainy season.
In summary, Frelimo has called on the Mozambican government to intensify assistance efforts for victims of Cyclone Jude, which has resulted in loss of life and extensive damage across several provinces. The cyclone’s impact on education and infrastructure adds to the ongoing challenges faced by Mozambique, a nation already grappling with the adverse effects of climate change. As the rainy season continues, the need for enhanced disaster response measures remains critical.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
