Tropical Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte on December 14, 2024, has resulted in at least 22 fatalities and extensive damage to infrastructure, with ongoing rescue efforts expected to reveal a higher toll. As the most powerful cyclone to impact Mayotte in 90 years, it has highlighted the vulnerabilities of the region, where many dwellings were already in precarious condition.
Tropical Cyclone Chido, which developed on December 5, 2024, in the southeast Indian Ocean, turned into a significant storm, peaking as a Category 4 cyclone with winds up to 250 km/h on December 12. The cyclone made landfall in Mayotte on December 14, resulting in catastrophic destruction as sustained winds reached 225 km/h. As of December 18, reports indicated at least 22 fatalities and 1,500 injuries, with the death toll likely to rise due to ongoing rescue operations amid numerous missing persons.
Chido has been recognized as the most intense storm to impact Mayotte in over nine decades, causing extensive damage to critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and roads, and disrupting essential services including electricity, water supply, and telecommunications. Even prior to the cyclone, approximately 40% of Mayotte’s housing stock was in precarious condition, leaving around 100,000 individuals vulnerable to the cyclone’s onslaught. The island officially hosts around 320,000 residents; however, estimates suggest there may be an additional 200,000 individuals, predominantly from Comoros, living with irregular status.
Tropical Cyclone Chido emerged as a significant natural disaster for the island of Mayotte, a French territory located in the Indian Ocean. Developing into a powerful storm within a week, Chido reached unprecedented intensities, exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities in housing and infrastructure. The scale of damage and human impact highlights the pressing need for effective disaster response and management strategies in the face of increasing climatic challenges, particularly for regions susceptible to extreme weather events.
In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted severe devastation on Mayotte, marking a historic weather event with far-reaching implications for the local population and infrastructure. The storm’s aftermath underscores the critical need for enhanced disaster preparedness, particularly for those living in inadequate housing conditions. As rescue efforts continue, the full extent of the cyclone’s toll may become clearer, revealing the profound impact on the community of Mayotte.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
