Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique on December 15, 2024, causing widespread destruction in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa. The cyclone resulted in 34 fatalities, 319 injuries, and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Over 80% of the affected population relies on agriculture, making urgent recovery efforts crucial to restoring livelihoods and food security.
On December 15, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido made its devastating landfall in the district of Mecufi, Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique. The cyclone produced catastrophic winds reaching 120 km/h and intense rainfall exceeding 250 mm within 24 hours, leading to extensive destruction across northern Mozambique. Particularly affected areas include Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa, with secondary impacts noted in Tete and northern Zambézia.
As reported by the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD) on December 17, the cyclone has affected approximately 174,000 individuals, resulting in 34 confirmed fatalities and 319 injuries. Moreover, over 35,000 homes have sustained destruction or significant damage, affecting essential infrastructures such as schools, health facilities, and water systems. The cyclone has worsened existing vulnerabilities in Cabo Delgado, an area already dealing with conflict-induced displacements and an ongoing cholera outbreak.
The devastation is particularly severe in the Mecufi and Chiure districts of Cabo Delgado, where nearly all homes were found to be affected, rendering health services non-operational. The agricultural sector has suffered immense loss, with thousands of hectares of staple crops, including maize, beans, sesame, and cassava, destroyed, thereby jeopardizing food security and means of recovery for local communities. Additionally, in the Memba and Erati districts of Nampula province, more than 3,600 families experienced considerable damage to fishing assets and their associated livelihoods.
The destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure has raised the risk of waterborne diseases, particularly cholera, exacerbating the health crisis. Furthermore, disrupted communications and power networks have hindered ongoing humanitarian response efforts. Given that over 80% of Mozambicans depend on agriculture for their sustenance and income, there is an urgent need for intervention to assist impacted households in reconstructing their lives, securing livelihoods, and restoring access to necessary food supplies.
Tropical Cyclone Chido, which struck Mozambique in December 2024, is a significant weather event contributing to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. Cyclones in Mozambique are not uncommon, but the intensity and impact of Chido have resulted in unprecedented levels of devastation, particularly affecting already vulnerable populations. Cabo Delgado is a province plagued with ongoing conflict and displacement issues, intensifying the challenges posed by natural disasters. This compound crisis necessitates immediate and coordinated humanitarian efforts to alleviate suffering and support recovery.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted severe damage across northern Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado, causing widespread loss of life, structural damage, and agricultural devastation. The immediate consequences include heightened health risks and significant disruptions to public services and livelihoods. To address the needs of the affected populations, prompt action is essential to facilitate recovery, restore essential services, and prevent further health crises arising from the cyclone’s aftermath.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
