Tropical Cyclone Jude Causes Tragedy in Mozambique and Malawi

Tropical Cyclone Jude has claimed nine lives and displaced thousands in Mozambique and Malawi. In Mozambique, six deaths and significant injuries were reported, while Malawi recorded three fatalities and severe homelessness. Relief efforts are difficult due to damaged infrastructure, echoing past cyclones’ devastating impact.

Tropical Cyclone Jude has tragically resulted in the loss of at least nine lives, according to officials. The National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) in Mozambique reported that six fatalities occurred in the provinces of Nampula and Niasa, alongside 20 individuals injured and approximately 9,525 displaced in northern Mozambique and Zambezia province.

In neighboring Malawi, three fatalities were recorded and about 20,000 people have become homeless due to extensive flooding in the southern region, where the cyclone’s effects were particularly severe. Chiphiliro Khamula, a spokesperson for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in Malawi, indicated that those affected are currently being housed in evacuation centers.

The cyclone made landfall early on Sunday in northern Mozambique and subsequently moved to southern Malawi, leading to significant flooding from Monday to Wednesday. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that relief efforts are facing challenges due to inaccessible roads and bridges that have been compromised by the flooding.

This natural disaster follows the devastation of Cyclone Chido, which impacted the same areas in December of the previous year, resulting in 73 deaths in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Jude has led to significant loss of life and displacement in both Mozambique and Malawi, with nine confirmed fatalities and widespread displacement. The catastrophic effects of the cyclone have severely hindered relief efforts, reminiscent of the previous cyclone that struck the region. Immediate international aid and intervention are critical to assist the affected populations effectively.

Original Source: news.az