8 March 2008
Maputo — The district of Mozambique Island, on the coast of the northern province of Nampula, is without electricity thanks to the high winds and torrential rains brought to the region by cyclone Jokwe.
Jokwe has been affecting the weather along the Nampula coast since Friday night. The cyclonic winds have knocked down electricity pylons, and have caused houses built of flimsy materials to collapse. According to radio reports, the roofs have been blown off two Mozambique Island schools, and the local police command is without communication, since its antenna has been damaged.
The Minister of State Administration, Lucas Chomeras, has interrupted a working visit to Ribaue district, in the west of Nampula in order to concentrate his efforts on the cyclone-hit districts of the coast.
Chomera said that teams from the government's relief agency, the National Disasters Management Institute (INGC), are on their way to Mozambique Island to assist the local authorities. The INGC will provide a helicopter to assist in relief logistics.
By Saturday afternoon, the centre of the cyclone had moved southwards, and was between Mozambique Island and the fishing town of Angoche. On making landfall, Jokwe lost strength, falling from a category four to a category three cyclone, and its wind speeds diminished from over 200 to about 170 kilometres an hour.
On Saturday night, as Jokwe continues moving slowly south, the coastal districts of Zambezia province will experience high winds. But Zambezia will be spared the full impact of the cyclone, since its course is expected to take it back out to sea.
It is projected to drift across the Bay of Sofala, where it will pose a serious threat to shipping. Since cyclones intensify over water, Jokwe could become a Category four storm again.
The National Emergency Operational Centre (CENOE) on Saturday afternoon again urged the Nampula and Zambezia authorities to take all due precautions. All boats should be moored securely, and local residents should sit out the storm in the safest parts of their homes, or in temporary shelters provided by the authorities.
CENOE warned that people should not venture into the open and should particularly avoid the vicinity of trees or electricity pylons.
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