Cyclone Jude has resulted in 16 fatalities and affected over 302,000 people in Mozambique, with extensive damage to infrastructure and homes in various provinces. The cyclone symbolizes the ongoing threat climate change poses to the region, which has already faced several extreme weather events. The statistics underscore the urgent need for disaster preparedness and response efforts.
Cyclone Jude has tragically claimed the lives of 16 individuals in Mozambique and has impacted over 302,000 residents, as reported by the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD). The latest figures indicate that two people are still unaccounted for, with 302,653 individuals affected and 65,164 families impacted, extending across the provinces of Zambézia, Nampula, Niassa, Cabo Delgado, as well as Tete and Manica.
The INGD detailed that a total of 70,163 houses have been completely or partially damaged. Furthermore, 988 properties were inundated, alongside 134 places of worship. Educational facilities have also been severely impacted, with 247 schools and 674 classrooms affected, influencing approximately 91,629 students and 1,182 teachers. The storm has damaged 18 bridges, 41 aqueducts, and devastated 101,239 agricultural areas.
In terms of infrastructure, at least 72 health facilities and two public buildings have been destroyed, while 68 vessels were damaged. Additionally, the cyclone affected eight supply systems and caused substantial electrical disruptions, with 1,224 electrical poles overturned and 2,859 kilometres of roads compromised, resulting in 671.6 kilometres of road damage.
The rainy season in Mozambique, spanning from October to April, is particularly vulnerable to such cyclonic events, having already been impacted by Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi earlier this year. Between December of last year and January, cyclones greatly impacted the regions of Cabo Delgado and Nampula, affecting approximately 736,000 individuals and leading to significant damage to both public and private infrastructures.
Statistics from the National Institute of Statistics indicate that extreme weather events, including cyclones and storms, have resulted in at least 1,016 fatalities in Mozambique from 2019 to 2023, impacting around 4.9 million people. As one of the nations most affected by climate change, Mozambique frequently experiences flooding and tropical cyclones during the rainy season, coupled with extended periods of severe drought.
In summary, Cyclone Jude has caused extensive devastation in Mozambique, resulting in the loss of 16 lives and affecting over 302,000 individuals. The impact on infrastructure has been severe, with numerous homes, educational and health facilities, and agricultural areas suffering significant damage. As Mozambique continues to confront the challenges posed by climate change, the need for effective disaster risk management and reduction strategies remains critical.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
