Cyclone Jude has resulted in 14 confirmed deaths and 60 injuries in Mozambique, with significant infrastructural damage including thousands of destroyed homes and affected schools. Authorities are assessing the impacts and managing emergency accommodations for the displaced. Despite the devastation, measures are underway to restore access and aid. The cyclone’s path has changed, moving away from Mozambique as it shifts towards Madagascar.
The death toll from Cyclone Jude in Mozambique has reached 14, as stated by the Minister of State Administration, Inocencio Impissa. The cyclone, which affected northern and central regions, has also resulted in approximately 60 injuries. The fatalities primarily occurred due to the collapse of poorly constructed houses, lightning strikes, and drowning incidents. Authorities anticipate the death toll may increase as more information arrives from remote areas affected by washed-away infrastructure.
The cyclone caused extensive damage, destroying 7,041 houses and damaging an additional 13,139. Infrastructural impacts included the destruction of 30 health facilities and damage to 182 classrooms across 59 schools, affecting 17,401 pupils and 264 teachers. Although access roads into Nampula province suffered significant damage, light vehicle traffic resumed on Friday between Nampula city and the northern region of Mozambique.
The main thoroughfare, the north-south highway (EN1), was severely impacted at the Anchilo administrative post; however, a diversion was constructed to facilitate traffic flow for light vehicles. The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Joao Matlombe, visited Nampula and indicated that approximately 800 million meticais (around 12.5 million dollars) would be necessary for repairs on critical routes identified by the National Roads Administration.
Matlombe expressed concern that further inspections might reveal the need for more extensive and costly repairs, especially regarding bridge structures. Priority measures include establishing alternative routes and utilizing boats to deliver supplies in areas where vehicles cannot access. The cyclone also felled 19 electricity pylons and inundated 1,262 hectares of farmland.
To assist those displaced, nine accommodation centers were established in Nampula, providing shelter to 1,985 individuals as of Saturday. Cyclone Jude veered from its expected path and moved across Zambezia province before making landfall in southern Madagascar on Saturday morning. Its trajectory suggests it will proceed into the Indian Ocean, likely posing no further threat to Mozambique.
In conclusion, Cyclone Jude has significantly impacted northern and central Mozambique, resulting in a confirmed death toll of 14 and numerous injuries. The cyclone has destroyed thousands of homes, affected educational facilities, and damaged critical infrastructure. Authorities are actively assessing the situation and implementing emergency responses to support displaced individuals while new routes and repairs are being prioritized to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
