Impact of Cyclone Jude in Mozambique: Electricity Outages and Humanitarian Crisis
Cyclone Jude has left over 272,000 people without power in Mozambique’s Nampula province, caused significant damage estimated at 100 million meticais, and resulted in six fatalities among other injuries. The cyclone’s effects extend to the education sector and are indicative of Mozambique’s ongoing challenges with climate-related disasters.
In Mozambique, Cyclone Jude has resulted in significant disruption, leaving 272,757 customers in the Nampula province without electricity. Eletricidade de Mozambique (EDM) reported that the cyclone caused substantial damage, with 74 kilometers of power lines affected and the collapse of six transformer stations and two high voltage towers along the route from Namialo to Monapoque.
The power outages impacted major substations in Nampula, Angoche, and Nacala, disrupting services to approximately 15 districts and various neighborhoods. The total damage from Cyclone Jude is estimated to be around 100 million meticais (approximately €1.4 million). Currently, access routes are blocked, complicating efforts to restore electricity; however, some areas have reestablished power supply.
Cyclone Jude has claimed at least six lives, injured 20 individuals, and affected over 9,500 people across the provinces of Nampula, Niassa, and Zambézia. Additionally, the cyclone has disrupted the education of 17,401 students, impacting 264 teachers, 59 schools, and 181 classrooms in these regions.
The cyclone made landfall with winds reaching 140 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 195 kilometers per hour. Meteorologist Manuel Francisco indicates that the system could shift to a severe tropical storm status, potentially bringing heavy rains totaling 250 millimeters within a 24-hour period.
The National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD) estimates that Cyclone Jude may affect approximately 341,000 people. Emergency operational committees have been activated to coordinate resources and aid for those impacted by the cyclone. Mozambique continues to face severe weather challenges due to climate change, experiencing both severe cyclones and prolonged droughts during the rainy season.
Cyclone Jude has severely impacted Mozambique, particularly in the Nampula province. With significant electrical outages, casualties, and widespread disruptions to education, the cyclone exemplifies the challenges the nation faces due to extreme weather events linked to climate change. Enhanced coordination of emergency responses remains crucial to mitigate the adverse effects on affected communities.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
