Harare, (New Ziana) – Weather experts have said tropical Cyclone Jude had spared Zimbabwe after making landfall in northern Mozambique, bringing winds of up to 120 km per hour and heavy rainfall that caused widespread destruction.
The cyclone, which struck Mozambique on March 10, left scores of people homeless in Mossuril, Nampula Province, as floods damaged infrastructure and disrupted livelihoods. This marks the third cyclone to hit Mozambique this season.
According to weather experts, Jude tracked southwestward across northern Mozambique and lingered near the southern border of Malawi before shifting southeast over central Mozambique by March 12.
Zimbabwe’s Meteorological Services Department reported that while the cyclone weakened into a depression over Mozambique, residual moisture contributed to thunderstorms and rain in parts of Zimbabwe, including Matabeleland North, Mashonaland East, and Manicaland Provinces.
Significant rainfall was recorded in Chisengu (48mm), Hwange (48mm), Chipinge (26mm), as well as Mukandi and Nyanga (20mm).
Climate experts warn that natural disasters, including tropical cyclones and droughts, have become more frequent in recent years due to climate change, posing an increasing threat to vulnerable communities in the region.
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