Overview of Tropical Cyclone Chido’s Impact on Mozambique and Malawi

Tropical Cyclone Chido has recently struck Mozambique and Malawi, producing high winds and heavy rainfall. The response includes $4 million allocated by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, with significant assessments underway despite logistical challenges. Preliminary data indicate numerous fatalities and widespread damage. The cyclone is projected to dissipate by December 17, with heavy rainfall expected across neighboring regions, raising concerns of flash floods.

Tropical Cyclone Chido has made landfall in Mozambique and is currently impacting Malawi, characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall that have affected thousands of individuals. The storm is anticipated to dissipate by December 17 near Zimbabwe. Tom Fletcher, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, has allocated $4 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to facilitate an urgent response to the cyclone’s aftermath in Mozambique. Despite facing communication disruptions and impassable roads, governments and humanitarian partners are conducting assessments in the affected regions.

On December 15, Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique, producing winds with gusts of 80 km/h, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall exceeding 250 mm in just 24 hours. Estimates from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) indicate that the cyclone has caused one fatality, injured 35 individuals, and left 24,102 people affected, including 4,835 families. Notably, over 5,800 houses have been destroyed and 41 classrooms partially damaged. Preliminary assessments suggest that approximately 160,000 people in Cabo Delgado may require assistance, with around 150,000 in Pemba deemed particularly vulnerable. Mecufi is identified as the area most severely impacted, hindered by blocked roads and communication issues.

As of December 16, Chido, now classified as a moderate tropical storm, continues to move inland from both Mozambique and Malawi, with the system having passed southern Malawi. Initial reports from Malawi indicate that approximately 1,800 households have been affected, particularly in Machinga and Phalombe districts. Important infrastructure, including schools and healthcare facilities, has also suffered damage. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) noted that schools in the southern districts will only be closed for a single day, December 16, in response to the cyclone’s effects.

The cyclone previously passed close to the Comoros islands with less severe wind conditions. Northern Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia are forecasted to receive heavy rainfall exceeding 150 mm over the next ten days. Additional rainfall is expected across multiple countries, including Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Tanzania, and South Africa, raising concerns about potential flash floods and mudslides.

Cyclone Chido, which developed as a tropical depression in the south-eastern Indian Ocean on December 7, strengthened to a Category 4 cyclone by December 10, before downgrading to Category 3 on December 13. The cyclone passed north of Madagascar on December 12 and near Glorioso.

Tropical cyclones are severe weather systems characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall, often leading to significant local impacts such as property damage, loss of life, and disruption of services. In the current context, Tropical Cyclone Chido is wreaking havoc in Southern Africa, specifically affecting Mozambique and Malawi. The storm’s characteristics, trajectory, and anticipated dissipation are crucial for mobilizing resources and assessing damage, especially in regions already vulnerable to such natural disasters. The region’s historical exposure to cyclones necessitates an efficient humanitarian response to ameliorate conditions for the affected populations and mitigate further complications.

In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Chido has significantly impacted Mozambique and Malawi, with a substantial response mobilized to address the immediate needs of affected individuals. The ongoing assessments will likely provide a clearer picture of the damage and humanitarian requirements. It is imperative that local and international agencies continue to monitor the storm’s progression and the resulting conditions to ensure an effective response. The cyclone underscores the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events and the necessity of robust disaster preparedness measures.

Original Source: reliefweb.int