In northern Mozambique, tropical cyclone Jude struck earlier this week, leaving more than 272,000 households without electricity and causing significant damage in Nampula province. Authorities have reported six fatalities and 20 injuries.
According to the state-owned electricity company, Eletricidade de Moçambique (EDM), the cyclone made landfall on Sunday evening, bringing winds exceeding 120 km/h. The storm severely damaged 74 km of medium and low-voltage power lines, caused the collapse of six transformer stations, and brought down two high-voltage pylons on the Namialo-Monapo line.
The power outage affected 15 districts, including the cities of Nampula, Angoche, and Nacala. EDM estimates the damage at around 100 million meticais (approximately 1.6 million US dollars). Road blockages have hindered restoration efforts, but electricity has been partially restored in some parts of Nampula, Nacala, and the districts of Monapo, Liupo, and Mongicual.
The National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD) reported that cyclone Jude left six dead, 20 injured, and impacted over 9,500 residents in the provinces of Nampula, Niassa, and Zambezia. Authorities are continuing to assess the damage while working to restore power and provide aid to affected communities.
Cyclone Jude was followed by tropical cyclone Honde, which also caused extensive damage in Madagascar. Honde affected approximately 43,200 people, primarily in the Andrefana and Menabe regions, damaging 7,200 homes and destroying 1,900. The cyclone claimed three lives and injured 69 people due to strong winds and flooding.