Cyclone Chido Brings Renewed Climate Challenges for Mozambique and Malawi

Cyclone Chido has devastated northern Mozambique, causing displacements and infrastructure damage, while Malawi faces similar challenges. The cyclone’s severity reflects a troubling increase in extreme weather patterns linked to climate change. Emergency responses are in place, but long-term implications for education, health, and food security remain a concern as recovery efforts continue.

Cyclone Chido has caused significant destruction across northern Mozambique, following its path from the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte to Malawi. Areas such as Cabo Delgado and Nampula in Mozambique have seen mass displacements, echoing the impact of recent storms like Cyclone Freddy and Cyclone Idai. These events point to a troubling trend of intensified weather phenomena in southern Africa, exacerbated by climate change, with rising global temperatures fueling increasingly severe cyclones. Lucy Mtilatila, Malawi’s Director of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, highlighted that such storms now occur much more frequently than in the past, with changes in ocean temperatures creating an optimal environment for cyclone formation.

The devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido included winds reaching 260 km/h and over 250 millimeters of rain within 24 hours, leading to two reported fatalities and extensive infrastructure damage. Humanitarian agencies are responding to the immediate needs of affected populations, with UNICEF noting concerns about the cyclone’s long-term impacts on education and public health. Emergency provisions have been established for about 2,800 individuals, yet whole regions remain unreachable due to power outages.

Mozambique and Malawi are still in the process of recovering from previous cyclones, further complicating their ability to manage the aftermath of Chido. Luisa Meque of Mozambique’s National Institute for Risk and Disaster Management stated that assessments are ongoing to gauge damage accurately. In Malawi, schools suspended operations in 15 districts in response to the cyclone’s effects.

Preparedness measures taken prior to Chido have proven beneficial, indicating improved national-level coordination compared to previous incidents. Mtilatila emphasized the importance of preparing communities by strengthening infrastructure and planning safe settlements. The Malawian government has proactively ordered food and relief supplies, as ongoing drought conditions compound the challenges faced by one of the world’s least developed nations.

As climate change continues to elevate the frequency and severity of cyclones, experts are advocating for increased international assistance to build resilience and combat the underlying causes of climate change. Mtilatila concluded, “As we are being impacted by these cyclones, we are learning a lot. So, as we are building back, we do it better so that we should not make ourselves vulnerable.”

This article discusses the impact of Cyclone Chido, which devastated northern Mozambique and extended its reach to Malawi. It places Cyclone Chido within a broader context of increasing cyclone frequency and intensity in southern Africa, driven by climate change. The article highlights the emergency response efforts by humanitarian organizations and local governments to address immediate and long-term needs of affected communities.

Cyclone Chido has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities in Mozambique and Malawi, illustrating the broader implications of climate change on regional weather patterns. Despite immediate relief efforts, the ongoing challenges of recovery and infrastructure rebuilding reveal the necessity for long-term strategies to enhance resilience against future climate-induced disasters. The call for international support underscores the urgent need to address the multifaceted impacts of climate change on these nations.

Original Source: www.dw.com