Cyclone Chido has resulted in at least 11 deaths and significant injuries in Mayotte, affecting over 246 people and leading to challenges in rescue efforts. The cyclone is noted as the worst in nearly 90 years for the region. As it continues towards Mozambique, emergency services warn that 2.5 million individuals could be impacted by further devastation.
Cyclone Chido has wrought devastation in the French territory of Mayotte, resulting in at least 11 fatalities, as reported by France’s Interior Ministry. The cyclone made landfall on Saturday, causing extensive damage and hindering rescue efforts. Hospitals are struggling to cope, with nine patients in critical condition among the 246 who sustained injuries. This cyclone, deemed the worst to hit the region in nearly a century, not only affected Mayotte but also impacted areas in Comoros and Madagascar before moving towards Mozambique, where millions remain at risk.
As the cyclone traversed the southeastern Indian Ocean, authorities note considerable challenges in accurately assessing the full extent of casualties and damage due to ongoing adverse weather conditions. The prefect of Mayotte characterized this event as unprecedented, highlighting the urgency of the situation with a significant number of individuals still unaccounted for. The cyclone’s trajectory continues to threaten regions of Mozambique, exacerbating fears for the safety of approximately 2.5 million people likely to be affected in the northern provinces.
Cyclone Chido is a significant tropical cyclone that has had severe impacts in the Indian Ocean region, particularly in Mayotte, which is a French overseas territory. Such cyclones form in warm ocean waters, and their effects can lead to tragic loss of life and substantial destruction of infrastructure. This cyclone’s events are particularly noteworthy due to the historical context of its devastation in Mayotte, marking a rare occurrence in nearly ninety years. Cyclones typically pose a risk not only through high winds but also through flooding and additional hazards that may follow landfall as they advance towards mainland areas, in this case, Mozambique.
The catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte underscores the increasing vulnerability of regions within the Indian Ocean to severe weather events, a reality exacerbated by climate change. The loss of lives, alongside the extensive damages reported, presents a dire situation for local authorities. Rescue operations and recovery efforts are challenged by the cyclone’s unpredictability and ongoing threats to surrounding regions, highlighting the need for robust disaster preparedness and response strategies.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
