Tropical Cyclone Jude has killed nine people and displaced over 29,000 across Mozambique and Malawi, causing significant flooding and destruction. Relief efforts are hindered by washed-out roads and bridges, making access to affected areas challenging. The cyclone follows Cyclone Chido’s devastation in December, raising concerns about ongoing vulnerability in the region.
Tropical Cyclone Jude has tragically resulted in the deaths of at least nine individuals across Mozambique and Malawi. The National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) reported that six fatalities and 20 injuries occurred in northern Mozambique, specifically in the provinces of Nampula and Niasa, along with the central province of Zambezia. Furthermore, approximately 9,525 persons have been displaced by the cyclone’s impacts.
In Malawi, the cyclone has also claimed the lives of three individuals, and around 20,000 people have lost their homes in the southern region, where severe flooding ensued. Chiphiliro Khamula, a spokesperson for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in Malawi, stated that the displaced individuals are currently being accommodated in evacuation centers.
The cyclone initially made landfall in northern Mozambique, continuing its path into southern Malawi where heavy rains and flooding persisted from Monday to Wednesday. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed concerns that relief efforts are significantly hindered due to impassable roads and bridges that have been washed away, limiting access to affected areas.
This unfortunate event follows the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in the previous December, which resulted in the deaths of 73 people in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi, demonstrating the ongoing vulnerability of these regions to severe weather events.
Tropical Cyclone Jude has had a profound impact on both Mozambique and Malawi, resulting in at least nine fatalities and displacing thousands. The challenges faced by relief operations due to damaged infrastructure underline the necessity for improved disaster preparedness. Past cyclones, such as Cyclone Chido, highlight the persistent threats posed by severe weather in these countries. Immediate humanitarian assistance is crucial to aid those affected and begin the recovery process.
Original Source: www.yenisafak.com
