Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14 with extreme winds and heavy rainfall, causing unprecedented destruction. French President Emmanuel Macron declared a national mourning period as emergency operations began due to significant losses anticipated. Météo-France noted the cyclone’s rare nature and uncertain links to climate change, while seasonal forecasts suggested an active cyclone season ahead.
On December 14, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with winds exceeding 200 km/h and gusts surpassing 225 km/h, marking it as the most powerful storm to impact the island in 90 years, according to Météo-France. The cyclone unleashed torrential rainfall, recording 176 mm over a 12-hour span, alongside perilous sea conditions with wave heights rising above 5 meters. The cyclone’s intensity resulted in the destruction of some of Météo-France’s observational structures.
The unprecedented impact of Cyclone Chido highlights the vulnerability of Mayotte, a small island with many informal housing structures. Despite timely warnings from Météo-France, there was a significant loss of life. Climate change’s role remains uncertain, and further investigation into the cyclone season’s activity is warranted to better predict future events.
Original Source: wmo.int
