On January 13, 2025, Tropical Cyclone DIKELEDI struck Nampula province, Mozambique, with winds up to 150 km/h and heavy rainfall. Approximately 70,423 individuals have been affected, with significant infrastructure damage reported. Immediate humanitarian needs include emergency shelters and essential supplies, as assessments continue to unfold.
On January 13, 2025, Tropical Cyclone DIKELEDI made landfall in Nampula province, Mozambique, impacting several regions as it traversed the area. The cyclone swept through Ilha de Moçambique, Monapo, Mogincual, Liupo, Angoche, and Larde district before moving out to sea. With sustained winds of up to 150 km/h, and gusts reaching 180 km/h, it also brought torrential rainfall exceeding 200 mm within a 24-hour period, along with severe thunderstorms.
Preliminary findings from the Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA) indicate that approximately 70,423 individuals, representing 15,123 households, have been affected. Among these, approximately 11,267 individuals have varying disabilities, including physical, cognitive, sensory, and psychosocial impairments. The cyclone resulted in the partial destruction of 9,257 houses and the total destruction of 5,867 homes, displacing 2,316 individuals. Temporary shelters for the displaced have been established in Mossuril, Mogincual, and Monapo districts.
Critical infrastructure has sustained significant damage, affecting healthcare facilities, schools, and places of worship. Access routes in Corrane, Liupo, Angoche, and Namitil have become impassable, which isolates the impacted communities. As of January 16, many districts remain without electricity or communication services, with ongoing data collection efforts expected to reveal higher numbers of those affected.
Immediate priorities identified include the need for Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFI), along with Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and food security. Essential NFI requirements comprise tarps, lighting, buckets, and blankets. Joint multi-sectoral needs assessments are currently being conducted by the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) in collaboration with humanitarian partners.
Tropical Cyclone DIKELEDI has caused devastating impacts in Mozambique, particularly in Nampula province. Understanding the cyclone’s effects, including wind speeds, rainfall amounts, and displacement figures, is crucial to inform and guide relief efforts. The response to such natural disasters often reveals the vulnerabilities in infrastructure and accessibility, highlighting the critical need for humanitarian assistance and disaster management strategies.
In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone DIKELEDI’s impact on Nampula province has been severe, affecting tens of thousands of individuals and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and housing. Immediate humanitarian needs are pressing, particularly for emergency shelter and essential supplies. Ongoing assessments will continue to evaluate the situation and support relief efforts effectively.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
