Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province after causing severe damage in Mayotte. Approximately 1.7 million people are estimated to be affected. Immediate relief efforts are underway by organizations like IOM and UNICEF in response to the cyclone’s repercussions.
Cyclone Chido, categorized as a Category 4 storm, officially made landfall in Pemba, the capital of Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province on December 15, 2023. Prior to this, it inflicted substantial destruction in the French overseas department of Mayotte, where entire neighborhoods have been obliterated and significant casualties are anticipated. Reports estimate that Cyclone Chido has affected approximately 1.7 million people in Mozambique, prompting immediate response efforts from various organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF, who are coordinating relief measures alongside the local government.
In a recent post, the Malawi Red Cross noted severe impacts already being felt beyond Mozambique, indicating that the cyclone’s influence was extending into southern Malawi. The cyclone has brought heavy rainfall, destructive winds, and the risk of flash floods, necessitating urgent aid interventions.
Following its advance towards Mozambique, the cyclone caused catastrophic damage to the island of Mayotte, with winds exceeding 136 mph (220 km/h). According to Colin McCarthy, a weather expert based in the United States, the region has never encountered a storm of such intensity in over 90 years. The Prefect of Mayotte, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, stated that casualties could reach hundreds or even thousands, but the predominantly Muslim population’s burial customs complicate accurate estimations of the death toll.
Cyclone Chido emerged as a significant atmospheric phenomenon, categorized as a powerful Category 4 storm. Its trajectory led it through Mayotte, a French-controlled territory, before landing in Mozambique, exacerbating the existing vulnerabilities in these regions. The impacts of such cyclones are severe, often resulting in destruction of infrastructure and loss of life, particularly in areas already facing socio-economic challenges. In Mozambique, Cabo Delgado province has been one of the most affected areas, where the IOM and other humanitarian organizations are mobilizing to address immediate needs resulting from the cyclone’s aftermath.
In summary, Cyclone Chido has proven to be a devastating force, causing widespread destruction first in Mayotte and then in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique. The storm’s significant wind speeds and rainfall have rendered many areas vulnerable. With ongoing assessments and urgent response efforts from humanitarian organizations, the devastation’s full impact is still being understood as the region begins the challenging task of recovery.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
