Mozambique Braces for Impending Severe Tropical Cyclone Impact

Mozambique is bracing for a Severe Tropical Cyclone, with anticipated impacts in Nampula province on March 9. This cyclone follows previous storms that have already affected 455,000 people this season. Resources have been mobilized through the Anticipatory Action Framework to mitigate impacts as heavy rains and winds are expected in multiple provinces.

A severe weather system is forecasted to impact Mozambique, anticipated to evolve into a Severe Tropical Cyclone. The Nampula province is expected to experience effects on March 9, initially as a severe tropical storm progressing into a tropical cyclone. The Central Emergency Response Fund has activated the Anticipatory Action Framework to provide resources to humanitarian partners for proactive measures ahead of this impending impact.

The situation overview indicates that a low-pressure system, designated 12-20242025, has formed in the Indian Ocean and is currently moving toward Madagascar. Expected to make landfall on the east coast of Madagascar as a moderate tropical storm on the evening of March 7, it will subsequently re-enter the Mozambique Channel on March 8, advancing westward. Heavy rains and strong winds are forecasted for Nampula, Zambezia, and Cabo Delgado provinces.

The ongoing cyclonic season of 2024/2025 has already seen Nampula Province adversely affected by Tropical Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi in December 2024 and January 2025, respectively, impacting approximately 455,000 individuals. Compounding the situation, a cholera outbreak in Nampula and Zambezia has reported 915 cases and 29 fatalities as of March 7.

The approaching Severe Tropical Cyclone poses a significant risk to Mozambique, particularly to the already vulnerable populations in Nampula province, where previous cyclones have caused extensive damage. The activation of the Anticipatory Action Framework demonstrates preparedness efforts as communities brace for substantial rainfall and winds. The cholera outbreak further complicates the humanitarian landscape as the nation prepares for the impending storm.

Original Source: reliefweb.int