Cyclone Cluster in Mozambique Raises Concerns Over Climate Impact and Preparedness

Mozambique has experienced three destructive cyclones in three months, raising concerns about the new norm of increased storm frequency and intensity. The disasters have devastated communities, straining aid organizations and highlighting the need for improved preparedness and infrastructure to mitigate future impacts. Experts discuss the potential links to climate change, emphasizing the importance of resilience in vulnerable regions.

Mozambique has recently faced a severe cluster of cyclones, with three significant storms affecting the region in just three months. This situation has raised alarms among experts regarding the potential for more frequent storms in the future, exacerbating the challenges in one of the world’s most impoverished areas. Aid organizations are under immense pressure as these disasters have led to widespread destruction, leaving tens of thousands homeless.

Sebastien Langlade, the chief cyclone forecaster at the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre, described the current conditions in Mozambique as “a truly bad series of cyclonic impacts.” The cyclone season, typically running from November to April, began with Cyclone Chido in December, claiming over 120 lives. Following Chido, Cyclone Dikeledi hit in January, causing further casualties, and most recently, Cyclone Jude struck with winds reaching up to 195 kilometers per hour, resulting in at least 16 fatalities and damaging over 40,000 homes.

The impact of these storms has been widespread, affecting approximately 420,000 individuals across Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique, according to the United Nations. Both Cyclones Jude and Dikeledi impacted Nampula province, striking familiar areas and leaving little opportunity for community recovery. Naemi Heita, head of the Red Cross in Maputo, referred to these events as a “double tragedy,” emphasizing that communities had not fully recovered from the previous storm before facing a new threat.

The region’s remote and impoverished communities lack the necessary resources to withstand repeated disasters. Guy Taylor of UNICEF highlighted that the water levels in Nampula’s river basins were already high by the time Cyclone Jude emerged. The repeated cyclones have strained international aid efforts, depleting essential supplies more rapidly than can be replenished. Heita expressed concern about the escalating frequency and intensity of such disasters, stressing the urgency to enhance preparedness.

Historically, central Mozambique has faced significant storms, including Cyclone Idai in 2019, which resulted in over 600 deaths. The current trend shows an increase in cyclone frequency—with eight events since 2019—unprecedented in Mozambique’s cyclone history. Langlade noted that while past decades averaged six to seven cyclones and tropical storms every ten years, the last six seasons have seen at least ten such events.

The warming of water in the Mozambique channel may contribute to this phenomenon, with warmer seas providing optimal conditions for cyclone formation. In the southwest Indian Ocean, the proportion of recorded tropical storms reaching cyclone intensity this season has exceeded 70%, a significant rise from the typical 50%. While it remains uncertain if this increase is part of a natural cycle or a result of climate change, the potential for adaptation is becoming increasingly vital.

UNICEF has preemptively constructed over 1,000 cyclone-resistant classrooms in Mozambique to mitigate future storm impacts. Taylor reiterated the necessity of investing in community resilience, asserting that without proper infrastructure, these vulnerable areas are left defenseless against relentless natural disasters.

In conclusion, Mozambique is facing an alarming trend of increased cyclone frequency and intensity, significantly impacting its impoverished and vulnerable populations. The recent cluster of storms has heightened concerns regarding future disasters, with aid organizations struggling to cope with the continuous demands of disaster relief. The urgency for adaptation and investment in community resilience is clearer than ever to protect these regions from the escalating effects of climate-related events.

Original Source: www.france24.com