Tropical Cyclone Jude swept through southern Africa this week, causing significant damage across Malawi and Mozambique. The storm made landfall in northern Mozambique early on Sunday, before moving across southern Malawi, where heavy rains persisted from Monday to Wednesday March 11. While no fatalities have been reported, the cyclone left thousands of people homeless, with some areas suffering power outages and severe flooding. Relief efforts have been hindered by washed-out roads, making it difficult for aid agencies to reach all affected regions.
According to preliminary assessments from Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs, over 11,000 people have been affected, with many losing their crops, homes, and property to the floods. The cyclone displaced more than 3,000 people, who have been moved to evacuation camps. Although there were no deaths, 15 people, including two children aged 5 and 8, were injured by collapsing buildings. Efforts to rescue three people missing after their boat capsized in a flooded river are still underway in Malawi’s Nsanje and Phalombe districts.
In Mozambique, the storm has disrupted relief operations, especially in Nampula province, where main roads, bridges, and culverts have been washed away, making it difficult to access affected communities. The United Nations and local agencies have been working to deliver aid where possible, with the World Food Programme distributing supplies in Malawi’s Mulanje district. However, both countries continue to face challenges as floodwaters recede and recovery efforts unfold. Cyclone Jude marks the third such storm to impact Mozambique in recent months, following Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi.