Tropical Cyclone Jude: Update on Shelter and Humanitarian Response in Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Jude formed on March 6, 2025, impacting Mozambique with severe winds and flooding. The government reports fewer than 5,000 affected, but projections suggest 120,000 to 275,000 may be impacted. The Shelter Cluster is coordinating efforts to assess needs and provide assistance.

On March 6, 2025, a low-pressure system formed in the southwestern basin of the Indian Ocean, evolving into Tropical Cyclone “JUDE.” This cyclone made landfall on March 10 in Mossuril district, Nampula province, bringing severe winds reaching 195 km/h and heavy rainfall exceeding 250 mm within 24 hours. Although it later weakened to a tropical storm, it continues to affect northeastern Zambezia province, causing floods and heavy rains as it moves towards the Mozambique Channel, projected to exit on March 13. Flood alerts have been issued for the provinces of Nampula, Zambezia, Tete, Manica, and Sofala.

The initial impact data released by the government indicates fewer than 5,000 people affected; however, humanitarian projections suggest that Tropical Storm Jude may impact between 120,000 and 275,000 people. The significant information gaps hinder the accuracy of damage assessments and the scope of affected infrastructure and services.

The Shelter Cluster is actively mapping its capacities in the impacted provinces, identifying partners with local presence, deployment capabilities, and response actions. Close coordination with local authorities ensures effective information exchange. Partners in the provinces stand ready to support needs assessments as conditions permit, while the cluster coordination team plans to deploy to Quelimane for supporting various response activities. A comprehensive estimate of the needs, target population, response activities, and financial requirements has been submitted to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for the Flash Appeal update.

The situation in Mozambique due to Tropical Storm Jude is critical, with significant projected impacts on the populace and infrastructure. The Shelter Cluster is mobilizing resources and coordinating with local authorities to address the needs of the affected populations effectively. Continued efforts are essential to fill the information gaps and provide timely assistance to those in need, reinforcing the importance of collective humanitarian action in disaster response.

Original Source: reliefweb.int