Mozambique - Tropical Cyclone Jude Flash Update No. 4 (as of 14 March 2025) [EN/PT]

HIGHLIGHTS

● Tropical Cyclone Jude evolved into a moderate tropical storm has exited Mozambique landmass and is moving over the Mozambique Channel toward the southern coast of Madagascar.

● The latest cholera bulletin for Nampula reports 56 new cases on 14 March, with Nampula City and Larde district accounting for the highest number of new cases.

● The National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) has recorded 100,410 people affected and 20,241 houses either damaged or destroyed.

● Latest reports from Nampula’s Provincial Health Directorate (DPS) indicate that a total of 69 health facilities across the province have been partially damaged, and 8 fatalities were recorded.

● Humanitarian partners on mission from Nampula to Ilha de Moçambique and Nacala Porto have encountered illegal and impromptu checkpoints at Anchilo crossing, with local youth demanding payment for use of detour roads. Humanitarian partners also managed to reach Angoche after facing similar constraints and facing severe physical road conditions.

● Damages to the road network is affecting the transport of fuel and other supplies from Nacala port, with shortages already being reported in Pemba, Cabo Delgado where humanitarian agencies are largely based. UNHAS flights in Cabo Delgado province are impacted for lack of fuel at Pemba airport.

● On 14 March assessment teams deployed across seven districts (Nomapo, Meconta, Ilha de Mocambique, Naca-Porto, Nacala-a-Velha, Mossuril, and Memba) in Nampula province to begin data collection following improvement in road conditions. The exercise is expected to last 4 days.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Tropical Cyclone Jude, which evolved into a moderate tropical storm on 13 March, exited Mozambique and is moving over the Mozambique Channel toward the southern coast of Madagascar. The National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) forecast indicates winds of up to 90km/h and gusts reaching 120km/h, which could generate waves of up to 8m high.

According to the latest INGD data, as of 14 March, at least 100,410 people have been affected by the cyclone. A total of 71 people were injured, with 21 hospitalized, and 8 fatalities were recorded, including 6 children. The fatalities were mainly caused by building collapses, drowning, and electrocution.

Figures of damaged and destroyed houses, public infrastructure including roads, electricity and telecommunication lines continue to increase as assessment teams from government and humanitarian partners are now able to access affected districts. A total of 20,241 houses are either damaged or destroyed according to INGD. Reports from the Nampula Provincial Health Directorate (DPS) indicate that a total of 69 health facilities across the province were damaged, with the highest number of facilities affected in Nacala Porto, followed by Monapo, Nampula District, Angoche, and several other districts.

According to WFP’s ADAM Flood Impact Analysis update #3, 12 March, it is estimated that 13,982 hectares of cropland have been flooded across the provinces of Nampula, Zambézia, Cabo Delgado and Niassa affecting about 155,410 people. This has led to significant production losses, severely impacting livelihoods and food security.

Humanitarian partners conducted a mission to Ilha de Moçambique and Nacala Porto. Along the way, they encountered illegal and impromptu checkpoints manned by local youth at the Anchilo crossing, demanding payments ranging from Mz500 to Mz1,000 for safe passage and use of the detour road. Partners have noted at least six other illegal and impromptu checkpoints that were established in roads towards Angoche district.

The latest cholera bulletin for Nampula reports 56 new cases on 14 March, with Nampula City accounting for 37 cases, Larde 13, and Murrupula 6. Notably, Mogovolas district, which had previously recorded 29 out of the 30 cholera-related deaths in the province, reported no new cases in the last 24 hours.

The National Electricity Company (EDM) reported that around 272,757 people were without electricity in Nampula as 74 kilometres of medium and low voltage lines, 6 transformer stations and 2 high voltage towers were damaged. However, reports indicate that power supply has been restored to parts of Nampula city, Nacala, Monapo, Liupo, Angoche, Mecuburi and Mongicual. EDM estimates that it has sustained approximately U$1.6 milion in damage to electricity infrastructure

In Nampula, the National Roads Administration (ANE) has reported damage to several roads, namely the R681, N104, R703, R696 and R698 which have been rendered impassable due to washed-away bridges and damaged road platforms.

Cabo Delgado is facing access challenges in the districts of Namuno and Chiure where the R698 and R772 roads are currently impassable due to river overflows.

In Zambézia, notably, the N323 (Gilé/Alto Ligonha) road has multiple obstruction points due to erosion at bridge access over the Mitusse, Mureamule, Muachaca, and Namireche rivers. Meanwhile, the N103 (Magige/Lioma) road remains partially accessible after a manual embankment was created to allow pedestrian movement while awaiting culvert construction.

The impact of Cyclone Jude on road infrastructure is affecting the fuel supply in Cabo Delgado which is being transported from Nacala port in Nampula. Long queues are already observed in fuel stations in the provincial capital of Pemba, with fuel supply feared to be available only until the next few days. Humanitarian operations in Cabo Delgado, including UNHAS flights, could be affected by fuel shortage as early as 17 March. Medical referrals from Pemba provincial hospital to Nampula regional hospital are also compromised.

Angoche district

Angoche district has been severely impacted, with 1,730 people affected and significant damages registered to infrastructure. A total of 346 houses have been either partially or destroyed, along with four health facilities and 14 classrooms, disrupting education for 3,193 students. The district experienced power outages due to knockeddown electricity poles, but electricity supply has been restored in some parts. Additionally, Angoche Sede remains isolated following the collapse of the bridge over the Mutucuti River. Communication has also been disrupted, with no mobile network coverage in the district.

Mecuburi district

Reports indicate that mobility from the localities to the district capital is hampered due to the collapse of a bridge. Only motorbikes can safely pass and motorists are charged Mz200 (U$3 dollars) for passage by an illegal checkpoint established by local youth. Undetermined number of affected families are currently accommodated in Escola Secundária de Mecuburi and Escola Primária Completa de Nacuacuale.

Ilha de Moçambique district

In Ilha de Moçambique district, 400 families are currently sheltered in the Entete accommodation center following the impact of the cyclone. The borehole field in the district has been flooded, and potable water is being delivered to the affected people through costly water trucking from Nacala dam.