Mozambique Cyclone Cluster Raises Concerns Over Rising Storm Frequency

Mozambique has recently been struck by three cyclones in three months, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as thousands are displaced. Experts express concern over the increasing frequency of cyclones, highlighting the strain on aid organizations. The significant impact on vulnerable populations necessitates enhanced preparedness and resilience strategies to address future storms effectively.

Mozambique has faced three cyclones within a mere three-month span, causing widespread distress in one of the world’s most impoverished regions. This cluster of storms raises concerns among experts over the increasing frequency of such catastrophic weather events. The situation is compounded for aid organizations struggling to address the needs of the affected population, which has lost tens of thousands of homes due to these disasters.

Sebastien Langlade, chief cyclone forecaster at the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in Reunion, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “Mozambique is experiencing a truly bad series of cyclonic impacts.” The cyclone season, which usually extends from November to April, began with Cyclone Chido in mid-December, resulting in at least 120 fatalities.

Following Cyclone Chido, Cyclone Dikeledi impacted the region in January, causing five more deaths. The most recent, Cyclone Jude, brought winds up to 195 kilometers per hour, leading to at least 16 additional casualties and overwhelming damages, affecting approximately 420,000 individuals across Mozambique, Madagascar, and Malawi according to UN estimates.

The repeated landfalls of Cyclones Jude and Dikeledi in the Nampula province, located 1,400 kilometers north of the capital Maputo, exemplify a double tragedy for communities that were unable to recover from the initial storms. Naemi Heita, head of the Red Cross and Red Crescent delegation in Maputo, expressed concern over the lack of recovery time, while UNICEF’s Guy Taylor emphasized the vulnerability of residents unable to withstand such events.

As Cyclone Jude approached, Nampula’s river basins and dams were already nearly at capacity, exacerbating the situation. The continuous disasters stress international aid organizations, which face depleting resources with each ensuing cyclone, as noted by Taylor. Heita further remarked on the critical need for increased preparedness to combat the escalating frequency and intensity of storms, highlighting the lack of resources match available for assistance to these vulnerable regions.

Historically, central Mozambique has endured devastating storms, with Cyclone Idai in 2019 resulting in over 600 fatalities. Although recent Cyclones have not caused an equal number of casualties, an alarming pattern has emerged, with Mozambique experiencing eight cyclones since 2019, a significant increase from the previous rate of six to seven cyclones per decade.

Langlade attributes part of this trend to rising water temperatures in the Mozambique channel, known to energize cyclone formation. Data reveals that out of eleven tropical storms recorded in the southwestern Indian Ocean, eight reached cyclone intensity this season, indicating an unprecedented ratio of intensity. The long-term implications of such trends in relation to climate change remain uncertain, with experts debating whether it represents a natural fluctuation or a fundamental shift driven by environmental changes.

In response to these challenges, UNICEF has initiated projects, such as constructing over 1,000 cyclone-resistant classrooms in Mozambique. Taylor advocates for continuous investment in resilience strategies, asserting that preparedness significantly correlates with life preservation amidst natural disasters, akin to ensuring structural integrity in frequently afflicted areas.

The occurrence of three cyclones in Mozambique within three months has raised significant concerns regarding the increasing frequency and intensity of such events, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in one of the world’s poorest regions. Experts underscore the pressing need for enhanced preparedness and resilience to mitigate future impacts on vulnerable communities. As global weather patterns shift due to climate change, Mozambique stands at a crossroads where proactive measures can save lives and stabilize affected regions.

Original Source: www.france24.com