Tropical cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, 2023, causing catastrophic damage with winds over 200 km/h. The cyclone led to significant loss of life despite advance warnings and prompted a national period of mourning in France. Chido’s unusual track and intensity underscore the challenges posed by climate change and unpreparedness in tropical cyclone-affected regions. After Mayotte, it continued onto Mozambique, delivering substantial rainfall to the region.
Tropical cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, 2023, unleashing winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and gusts surpassing 225 kilometers per hour. This storm is reported as the most powerful to affect Mayotte in over nine decades, according to Météo-France. Accompanying heavy rainfall of 176 mm within a short span of 12 hours and perilous sea conditions with average wave heights exceeding five meters exacerbated the disaster. The cyclone’s force even compromised Météo-France’s observational infrastructure.
In response to the devastation, French President Emmanuel Macron declared a national period of mourning while authorities initiated extensive emergency and relief efforts. Initial assessments indicated that the cyclone may have claimed hundreds of lives in the island, which is typically unprepared for such severe weather events, particularly in areas with informal housing.
Despite receiving timely warnings over 50 hours prior to the cyclone’s landfall, rapid responses proved insufficient. Météo-France issued an amber alert on December 13 at 7 a.m., escalated to a red alert in the evening, and a rare violet alert by the morning of December 14. Notably, Chido deviated from expected paths, bypassing Madagascar, which might have mitigated its strength, thus impacting Mayotte directly.
After striking Mayotte, Chido made landfall over Mozambique on December 15, continuing to deliver heavy rainfall across both Mozambique and Malawi. Météo-France acknowledged uncertainty regarding the influence of climate change on the cyclone’s trajectory and intensity, stating, “Our current state of knowledge doesn’t allow us to draw any conclusions about the role of climate change on the track of the cyclone and on its intensity.”
The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for the South-West Indian Ocean had previously forecasted an early commencement for the 2024-2025 cyclone season, highlighting potential activities might initiate prior to the end of 2024 amidst predictions of near-normal to above-normal cyclonic systems during this period.
Tropical cyclones are severe weather phenomena that can cause significant damage, particularly in regions that lack robust infrastructure to withstand such events. Chido, striking Mayotte—an island in the Indian Ocean—represents a particularly extreme instance, not witnessed in 90 years, thereby underscoring the need for preparedness in impacted areas. Tracking the behavior of tropical cyclones offers insights into their potential relationship with climate change, even as scientific consensus is still evolving in this arena. Additionally, meteorological organizations such as Météo-France play a critical role in forecasting and issuing timely warnings to mitigate the impact of these disasters, although challenges remain in reaching communities reliant on informal housing structures.
In summary, tropical cyclone Chido’s unprecedented impact on Mayotte highlights the vulnerabilities faced by island communities in the face of extreme weather. The episode illustrates the significance of timely weather warnings and robust response mechanisms to protect lives and properties. Furthermore, as forecasts suggest the potential for more cyclonic activity in the future, understanding the interplay between climate change and cyclone behavior becomes increasingly vital for effective preparedness and mitigation strategies.
Original Source: wmo.int
