Tropical Cyclone Jude struck Mozambique on March 10, 2025, affecting over 375,000 individuals and damaging 81,149 houses. The cyclone intensified existing vulnerabilities in a region already dealing with food insecurity. Increased cholera risks loom due to contaminated water sources. Over 61 temporary shelters have been established for displaced populations, necessitating urgent humanitarian assistance.
Tropical Cyclone Jude made landfall in Mozambique’s Nampula province on March 10, 2025, causing significant impacts through heavy rainfall and powerful winds. By March 13, the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) reported that 375,214 individuals were affected, while 81,149 houses sustained damage or were completely destroyed. The severe flooding has compounded the vulnerabilities of communities already facing food insecurity and limited access to essential services, particularly in the Nampula and Zambezia provinces.
The cyclone season has been alarming, with Nampula and Zambezia previously impacted by Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi in December 2024 and January 2025, respectively, collectively affecting around 684,000 individuals. As Cyclone Jude progressed inland, it weakened into a severe storm over the provinces of Manica, Niassa, Sofala, and Tete, intensifying the humanitarian challenges faced by the region due to consecutive cyclonic events.
Health risks are escalating, particularly in the wake of the cyclone. As per the latest cholera bulletin, 56 cholera cases have been recorded in the severely affected Nampula province as of March 14, 2025. While no new cases were reported within the previous 24 hours, there is ongoing concern regarding the potential for outbreaks due to contaminated water supplies and the conditions in overcrowded temporary accommodation facilities.
Preliminary findings from the Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA), facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) alongside the CCCM Cluster and INGD, have identified over 61 temporary accommodation sites sheltering displaced populations. These facilities are crucial for housing evacuated families, and authorities, along with humanitarian organizations, are evaluating urgent needs to provide food assistance, safe water, sanitation, healthcare, and protection services.
In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Jude has had a devastating impact on Mozambique, particularly in the Nampula province, where hundreds of thousands have been affected. The cumulative effects of this cyclone season, compounded by previous cyclones, have intensified humanitarian needs. Rising health risks, particularly cholera, further complicate the situation. The timely provision of essential services and support to displaced individuals remains critical to mitigating the crisis.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
