Cyclone Chido, a category 4 cyclone, devastated Mayotte and Mozambique in December 2023, affecting a significant portion of the population and damaging thousands of homes. The storm’s intensity has been linked to climate change, as rising ocean temperatures contribute to increasingly frequent severe storms. Ongoing conflicts and migration patterns compound the challenges faced by affected communities, underscoring the need for integrated resilience strategies to address both climate change and human vulnerabilities.
Cyclone Chido was a significant tropical cyclone that struck Mayotte, a small island near Madagascar, on December 14, 2023. Category 4 in intensity, it unleashed wind gusts nearing 155 mph, impacting subsequent regions including Mozambique and the Comoros archipelago. The storm’s emergence early in the cyclone season and the rising ocean temperatures associated with climate change indicate a concerning trend of increasingly intense tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean. Reports indicate that up to 70% of Mayotte’s population was affected, with Mozambique suffering extensive infrastructure damage as over 50,000 homes were reported impacted.
The intersection of climate change, migration, and ongoing conflicts significantly exacerbates the situation. In Mayotte, undocumented migrants fleeing conflict zones form more than half the population, living in precarious conditions that heightened the storm’s impact. Reports suggest that fear of eviction prevented many from seeking shelter, while poor infrastructure hindered recovery efforts, delaying restoration of essential services such as power and clean drinking water. Mozambique continues to grapple with the legacy of previous disasters and current violence, rendering many displaced and without shelter.
Climate change is substantiated as a contributing factor to the cyclone’s intensity, with studies indicating that ocean temperatures along Chido’s path were approximately 1.1°C warmer due to climate change. This warming has rendered such temperatures over fifty times more likely, and scientists connected increased wind speed to global heating, raising Chido to hurricane status. These insights signify a worrying trend: tropical cyclones are predicted to intensify as climate change progresses, and their effects on already vulnerable populations must be critically assessed within the context of conflict and migration to develop appropriate resilience measures.
The rising intensity of tropical cyclones linked to climate change presents severe challenges, particularly in regions like the Indian Ocean. Cyclone Chido’s impact on communities in Mayotte and Mozambique underscores the urgent interaction between climate science and socioeconomic dynamics. Pre-existing vulnerabilities — including displacement due to conflict, inadequate housing, and the political climate — compound the destructive capacity of storms like Chido. Understanding the underlying factors that enhance the risks associated with tropical cyclones is crucial for effective response and resilience-building strategies.
In summary, the increasing severity of tropical cyclones such as Chido, influenced by climate change, poses grave risks to vulnerable communities. The compounded effects of migration, socioeconomic challenges, and ongoing conflicts exacerbate these hazards, leading to more significant humanitarian crises. Addressing the intricate relationship between climate change and human factors is essential for developing resilient communities capable of withstanding the growing threat of intense storms in a warming world.
Original Source: theconversation.com
