On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte, registering winds of 225 kilometers per hour. Originating in the Indian Ocean, it peaked as a strong Category 4 hurricane. Following extensive damage in Mayotte, it also impacted Mozambique, marking a significant meteorological event in the region’s history.
On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck the islands of Mayotte with devastating force, registering wind speeds comparable to a strong Category 4 hurricane. Originating in the southeastern Indian Ocean on December 5, the cyclone rapidly intensified, reaching peak winds of 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles per hour) before impacting the Mauritian islands of Agaléga on December 11.
Following its passage just north of Madagascar on December 13, Cyclone Chido made landfall in northern Mayotte the next morning with sustained winds of 225 kilometers per hour (140 miles per hour). The severe storm resulted in extensive damage across the territory, affecting key locations including the capital city of Mamoudzou and the airport on Petite Terre.
As documented by Météo-France, Cyclone Chido marked the most severe weather phenomenon to strike Mayotte in over nine decades. Following landfall in Mayotte, the cyclone proceeded to impact Mozambique the next day, causing further destruction.
The European Union’s preliminary assessment revealed widespread devastation, with structural damage predominantly concentrated in eastern and northern areas of Mayotte, which underscores the catastrophic effects of this cyclone alongside its historical implications within the region.
Cyclone Chido emerged as a significant meteorological event in the Indian Ocean, characterized by its rapid intensification and high wind speeds. The cyclone formed in a conducive atmospheric environment, featuring warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, facilitating its growth into a major storm. The cyclone’s trajectory, from its initial formation through its landfalls, provides critical insight into the dynamics of such intense weather systems and their potential impacts on vulnerable regions like Mayotte.
Cyclone Chido has profoundly impacted Mayotte and surrounding regions, leaving a trail of destruction unseen in nearly a century. The cyclone’s formation, rapid intensification, and subsequent landfalls in Mayotte and Mozambique illustrate the power of such natural phenomena, highlighting the need for preparedness and robust infrastructure in storm-prone areas. The event serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of island territories to extreme weather events, emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring and climate resilience efforts.
Original Source: www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov
