Cyclone Dikeledi has struck Madagascar and Mayotte, leading to fatalities and significant flooding. Over 20,000 people have evacuated in Mayotte, following the earlier impact of Cyclone Chido. Current forecasts warn of further severe weather affecting these regions, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has caused devastation in Madagascar, resulting in at least three fatalities due to heavy rainfall and flooding. The cyclone, which impacted the French territory of Mayotte, the country of Comoros, and Mozambique, follows the recent tragedy wrought by Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte less than a month ago.
Initially forming in the Southern Indian Ocean, Dikeledi intensified prior to making landfall in northern Madagascar on January 11. As reported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), over 15,000 individuals have been displaced in Madagascar, while approximately 20,000 residents have evacuated in Mayotte due to the approaching storm.
While Dikeledi lost some strength before reaching Mayotte, it still brought significant winds, flash floods, and landslides on January 12, resulting in severe damage to local infrastructure. According to a local news report, the village Mbouini, which previously escaped destruction by Cyclone Chido, faced flooding due to the continuing rain.
Resident Massa expressed the community’s concern over their situation, noting, “We’re only in the middle of the rainy season, so we don’t know what’s going to happen between now and February or March.” Manuel Valls, the French minister for overseas territories, remarked on the intense impact of the tropical storm, stating that, “Mayotte faced an intense tropical storm. The impact was violent.”
Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the Mayotte prefect, indicated that the territory remains precariously positioned under adverse weather conditions. He stated, “We still have extremely strong winds and rainfall that is just as strong.”
ECHO forecasts Dikeledi may intensify further as it moves southward in the Mozambique Channel from January 14 to 15, potentially bringing even heavier rainfall, gale-force winds, and storm surges to Madagascar, Mayotte, Comoros, and Mozambique. This follows Cyclone Chido, which caused significant disaster, claiming 36 lives in Mayotte and over 120 in Mozambique.
A flash update from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirms that response efforts are currently underway in Madagascar, including distribution of emergency supplies and cash assistance to affected households.
Cyclone Dikeledi has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the affected regions of Madagascar and Mayotte, following the devastating impacts of Cyclone Chido. With an increased risk of severe weather and displacement among communities, emergency responses are critical. Continuous monitoring and assistance will be essential in managing the aftermath of these catastrophic events and supporting recovery efforts in the region.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
