Tropical Cyclone Chido initiated the 2024/2025 Cyclone Season, causing significant destruction in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi, with over 172 casualties and extensive infrastructure damage. Cyclone Dikeledi followed, aggravating the crisis. The ongoing floods highlight the critical need for preparedness and humanitarian assistance, with the IFRC Emergency Appeal aiming to support affected individuals and enhance community resilience.
Tropical Cyclone Chido marked a destructive beginning to the 2024/2025 Cyclone Season in the Southwestern Indian Ocean. Forecasts predict a more active cyclone season with significant risks for the Mascarene Islands, Madagascar, and Mozambique. Chido reached Category 4 on December 11, with winds of 220 km/h and gusts of up to 250 km/h, resulting in over 172 fatalities and more than 6,300 injuries by December 30, primarily affecting Mozambique, Mayotte, and Malawi.
Madagascar was heavily impacted, particularly in the Diana Region, leading to extensive infrastructure damage and displacing over 135,800 individuals. Post-cyclone flooding further exacerbated the situation, damaging crops and prompting preventive evacuations. The Malagasy Red Cross Society supports ongoing disaster management efforts and has issued danger warnings.
In the Comoros, Cyclone Chido affected 64,167 individuals, damaging homes and agricultural yield significantly, with a week of mourning declared. Meanwhile, Mayotte experienced severe devastation, affecting 230,000 residents, displacing around 100,000 people who now find themselves in inadequate accommodation. Essential services were disrupted as critical infrastructure, including hospitals and airports, suffered damage.
Mozambique reported approximately 90,640 households affected in the Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces, with significant damage to structures. In Malawi, Cyclone Chido impacted nearly 46,000 individuals, with continued rainfall hindering recovery efforts. The National Societies of Red Cross and Red Crescent are actively engaged in humanitarian efforts, including search and rescue and the provision of essential aid.
Cyclone Dikeledi struck Madagascar on January 11, 2025, affecting over 7,000 individuals and damaging around 1,000 homes, leading to disrupted education for over 8,000 children. Subsequently, it impacted Mozambique, particularly the already affected Nampula province. Rapid assessments indicated that Dikeledi caused severe damage, prompting the activation of evacuation protocols in advance.
In late February 2025, Tropical Storms Honde and Garance further escalated the crisis, with Honde impacting southern Madagascar and Garance causing disruptions in La Réunion and Mauritius. Flooding across Southeastern Africa, particularly due to heavy rainfall, has displaced numerous households, where consistent rains are predicted to continue.
Preparedness remains essential amid these emergencies, highlighting the significance of resilience and disaster management strategies. The Emergency Appeal aims to provide resources for humanitarian assistance and enhance the readiness of the IFRC network and National Societies to support vulnerable communities as the cyclone season progresses.
The cyclones Chido and Dikeledi have wreaked havoc across the Southwestern Indian Ocean, particularly in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi, demonstrating the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and response. The devastation inflicted by flooding, infrastructure damage, and substantial loss of life highlights the critical role of national and international humanitarian organizations. Continued support and proactive measures are essential to protect and assist the affected communities during this above-average cyclone season and in future emergencies.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
