Mozambique has endured three damaging cyclones in three months, raising fears of a new norm in climate disasters. Particularly vulnerable communities are severely impacted, prompting calls for improved disaster preparedness and resource allocation to address the increasing frequency and intensity of these weather events.
Mozambique has been significantly affected by an unprecedented cluster of three cyclones within three months, contributing to the distress of one of the world’s poorest regions. The recurrent storms have devastated tens of thousands of homes, prompting urgent concerns among experts about the potential normalization of such extreme weather events causing widespread devastation.
Sebastien Langlade, chief cyclone forecaster at the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre, remarked on the severity of the situation, stating, “Mozambique is experiencing a truly bad series of cyclonic impacts.” The cyclone season, which typically spans from November to April, began with Cyclone Chido in mid-December, followed by Dikeledi and Jude, affecting hundreds of thousands and leading to numerous fatalities.
The humanitarian impact is grave, with Mozambique and neighboring countries facing challenges in providing aid to affected communities. Naemi Heita, head of the Red Cross and Red Crescent delegation in Maputo, noted that these communities were still reeling from the effects of the first cyclone when subsequent storms hit. Conditions were further exacerbated by the nearly full river basins and dams in the province, as indicated by UNICEF spokesperson Guy Taylor, stressing the lack of resources to cope with rising disaster frequency.
The area has witnessed eight cyclones since 2019, increasing concerns regarding climate change’s influence on cyclonic activity. According to experts, a warming of the waters in the Mozambique channel may be a contributing factor. Langlade observed that while fewer people died this season, the number of cyclonic events has increased significantly, prompting calls for investment in disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience to mitigate future impacts.
UNICEF has already initiated efforts by constructing resilient classrooms to withstand cyclones, reinforcing the importance of proactive measures to save lives and maintain infrastructure in vulnerable regions.
The alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of cyclones in Mozambique raises critical concerns regarding climate change and its impact on vulnerable regions. Experts emphasize the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and sustainable infrastructure investment to support communities facing recurrent climatic extremes. With the humanitarian response system already strained, proactive solutions are essential to mitigate the long-term effects of these natural disasters.
Original Source: www.france24.com
