Cyclone Chido has devastated Mayotte with severe winds and destruction, prompting emergency alerts and rescue operations. The cyclone is expected to strike Mozambique, potentially affecting millions. Authorities across impacted nations are preparing for flooding and health risks due to the storm’s aftermath, underscoring the growing severity of natural disasters linked to climate change.
Cyclone Chido has brought unprecedented destruction to Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, with officials reporting extensive damage as it advances toward the eastern coast of Africa. The cyclone, packing winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour, dismantled metal roofs and left thousands without power. The Prefect of Mayotte, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, characterized the cyclone as the most violent since 1934, and while no casualties have been reported, the aftermath has left many residents in dire conditions.
Bieuville proclaimed that the highest alert has been rescinded to facilitate rescue efforts post-cyclone. However, a red alert persists for residents, urging them to remain sheltered and secure. In the meantime, emergency services are fully active, with French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirming significant damage across the islands and mobilizing additional responders.
Chido’s impact extends beyond Mayotte, affecting nearby Comoros where authorities have expressed concern for 11 fishermen who went missing at sea. Comoros has mandated that vessels remain in port and closed airports and schools to safeguard the populace. The cyclone is anticipated to strike Mozambique late Saturday or early Sunday, prompting warnings from the country’s disaster agency that 2.5 million individuals could face adverse effects.
In anticipation of Chido’s arrival, countries like Malawi and Zimbabwe are preparing for possible flooding and evacuations, with Malawi urging residents to move to higher ground. Cyclone season poses recurring threats to southern Africa, with past cyclones such as Idai in 2019 and Freddy last year leading to profound fatalities and humanitarian crises. Climate change exacerbates these cyclone conditions, impacting vulnerable populations that contribute minimally to environmental degradation.
The topic of Cyclone Chido represents a significant environmental and humanitarian issue impacting regions in the Indian Ocean and eastern Africa. Cyclones are common during the southwest Indian Ocean cyclone season, which occurs from December to March. Recent years have seen an uptick in cyclone severity due to climate change, posing substantial threats to poorer nations like Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Past cyclones have caused extensive loss of life and disruption, with subsequent health crises arising from flooding and poor sanitary conditions, such as cholera and malaria outbreaks. As Cyclone Chido barrels towards Mozambique following its initial impact on Mayotte, concerns grow regarding vulnerable populations who face the dual threat of immediate physical destruction and potential long-term health risks. Emergency services are being mobilized as authorities in various nations prepare for the impending challenges presented by the storm.
In summary, Cyclone Chido has caused significant devastation in Mayotte with widespread damage reported and emergency services actively engaged in rescue efforts. As the cyclone progresses towards Mozambique, the anticipated repercussions on millions of residents in affected areas highlight the ongoing vulnerability of communities in southeastern Africa to climate change-induced cyclones. Effective preparedness and mitigation strategies are crucial to managing the humanitarian crises exacerbated by such extreme weather events.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
