Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, struck Pemba, Mozambique, on December 15, following devastation in Mayotte. It is estimated to have affected 1.7 million people, caused high winds and heavy rains, and prompted responses from multiple organizations. Death tolls in Mayotte may remain unclear due to cultural burial practices, and the cyclone is noted as a catastrophic event not seen in the region for nearly a century.
Cyclone Chido, classified as a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique, on December 15, 2023. The cyclone previously devastated the French overseas region of Mayotte before its arrival in Mozambique. Reports indicate that as Cyclone Chido struck northern Mozambique, it extended its reach into southern Malawi, creating hazardous conditions such as heavy rainfall, destructive winds, and flash floods. The Malawi Red Cross has begun mobilizing support for the affected areas.
The International Organization for Migration reported that Cyclone Chido impacted around 1.7 million individuals in Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces, with wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h. Teams are on the ground to assess damage and coordinate an emergency response.
UNICEF has expressed grave concern about the cyclone’s impacts on the vulnerable populations in Mozambique. They are actively collaborating with local organizations and government officials to initiate relief efforts. Prior to making landfall in Mozambique, Cyclone Chido wreaked significant destruction on the island of Mayotte, with reports of extensive infrastructural damage and loss of life.
Colin McCarthy, an extreme weather tracker, noted that neighborhoods in Mayotte were completely flattened and hundreds of fatalities are feared due to the cyclone’s unprecedented intensity. The Prefect of Mayotte, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, indicated that the full extent of casualties might be difficult to ascertain, given the cultural practices surrounding burial customs in the region. The cyclone’s destructive force is notably stated to be the most severe experienced by Mayotte in nearly a century, according to Meteo France, the French national meteorological service.
Cyclone Chido is a significant weather event that recently impacted several regions in the Indian Ocean. Originating as a powerful storm, it first hit the French territory of Mayotte, causing widespread devastation and heavy casualties. As it progressed, the storm affected northern Mozambique and parts of Malawi, leading to severe environmental damage and human suffering. This cyclone is categorized as a Category 4 storm, characterized by high winds and heavy precipitation, escalating the risk of flooding and infrastructural damage in already vulnerable regions.
The effects of Cyclone Chido are far-reaching and devastating, particularly in the affected areas of Mayotte and Mozambique. With millions impacted and significant destruction reported, relief efforts are crucial for recovery. The ongoing assessments and emergency responses from organizations such as the International Organization for Migration and UNICEF are vital in addressing the immediate needs of the survivors. The cyclone’s unprecedented impact highlights the increasing vulnerability of these regions to extreme weather events, necessitating enhanced disaster preparedness and response strategies.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
