Tropical Cyclone Chido is forecasted to hit Pemba, Mozambique, on December 15, 2024, as an Intense Tropical Cyclone, with heavy rains and winds affecting up to 1.7 million people. Key provinces at risk include Cabo Delgado and Nampula, with urban flooding concerns in Pemba. The ongoing cholera outbreak in Nampula may worsen due to the cyclone’s impact.
Tropical Cyclone Chido is poised to strike Pemba, Mozambique, in the early hours of Sunday, December 15, 2024, with the forecast indicating it will reach the intensity of an Intense Tropical Cyclone. Provinces in northern Mozambique, including Cabo Delgado and Nampula, alongside Niassa, Tete, and, to a lesser extent, Zambezia, are likely to experience severe disruptions. The period from December 15 to December 17 is expected to witness heavy rainfall, with accumulations potentially exceeding 200mm within 24 hours, and winds gusting up to 120 km/h.
The World Food Programme’s Disaster Analysis and Mapping (ADAM) system reveals that approximately 1.7 million individuals may be affected by Cyclone Chido, including an alarming number of one million residents in Cabo Delgado facing damaging winds. Although recent assessments by the Government’s Technical Council for Disaster Management indicate that river basins are currently below alert levels, concerning potential flooding is predicted in urban areas of Pemba, including Bairro Cariaco and Alto Chuiba.
Additionally, there are apprehensions regarding the amplification of the cholera outbreak in Nampula, which, as of December 11, had reported 283 cases and 21 fatalities, potentially exacerbated by the cyclone’s impact.
The imminent threat from Tropical Cyclone Chido highlights the vulnerability of northern Mozambique, particularly with the cumulative effects of natural disasters arising in this region. Historical precedents, such as Cyclones Gombe in 2022 and Freddy in 2023, underline the severe weather patterns affecting this area. The preparations from the Technical Council indicate ongoing monitoring of water levels, crucial for disaster response. The interaction between natural disasters and public health issues, such as the cholera outbreak, underscores the critical need for comprehensive disaster management and public health strategies.
In summary, Cyclone Chido is set to impact northern Mozambique significantly, with dire forecasts of heavy rainfall and strong winds, threatening the well-being of millions. The risk of urban flooding in Pemba and the potential worsening of a cholera outbreak necessitate immediate attention and action from local authorities and international organizations. Effective response efforts are essential to mitigate the adverse consequences of this weather event.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
