Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte Before Impacting Mozambique

Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, devastated Mayotte before making landfall in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado. The cyclone registered wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h and is estimated to have impacted around 1.7 million people in Mozambique, with severe risks from heavy rains and flash floods. Humanitarian organizations are on-site assessing needs and coordinating responses.

Cyclone Chido, a powerful Category 4 storm, struck the capital of Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, Pemba, on December 15, following a path of destruction through the French-administered territory of Mayotte. As reported by @DccmsM on X, Chido’s center was noted at 14:05 on the same day, with its effects extending to parts of southern Malawi. The Malawi Red Cross has responded proactively, noting risks of heavy rains, destructive winds, and flash floods in the region.

The International Organization for Migration has indicated that Cyclone Chido has adversely affected approximately 1.7 million individuals in Mozambique, with winds exceeding 200 km/h accompanying the torrential rains. Collaborating with the government and other agencies, the IOM is currently assessing the needs and coordinating early responses, while ensuring protection measures against sexual abuse and exploitation are reinforced.

UNICEF Mozambique expressed grave concern regarding the cyclone’s impact on the already vulnerable populations in the region, stating that their team is actively working with partners and the government to mitigate this disaster’s effects. Prior to making landfall in Mozambique, Cyclone Chido inflicted significant damage on Mayotte, where eyewitness accounts reported entire neighborhoods devastated, and fears of potential fatalities have arisen.

Local officials have speculated that the death toll in Mayotte could range into the hundreds or possibly thousands. Citing the challenges of accurately determining casualties due to cultural practices regarding burial, the French interior ministry acknowledged the difficulties in evaluating the full scope of casualties. Meteo France noted that the cyclone’s winds exceeded 200 km/h, marking one of the most severe weather events to impact Mayotte in nearly a century.

Cyclone Chido is one of the latest natural disasters to affect East Africa, particularly impacting Mozambique and Mayotte. The region is prone to severe weather events due to its geographical location. Tropical cyclones pose significant threats through extreme rain, flooding, and strong winds, frequently leading to substantial humanitarian crises. The international community and local organizations are generally swift in response to such calamities, as they engage in recovery efforts and provide aid to the afflicted communities. Mayotte, being an overseas territory of France, faces specific challenges related to disaster management and casualty reporting, which may differ from those experienced on the mainland.

In summary, Cyclone Chido has caused extensive damage as it made landfall in Mozambique after a path of devastation through Mayotte. The immediate and long-term impacts on vulnerable populations are a primary concern for humanitarian organizations currently mobilizing to provide support. Enhanced measures to address potential casualties and aid those affected are critically needed, as the region confronts the aftermath of this severe natural disaster.

Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in