Cyclone Dikeledi has resulted in deaths and significant displacement in Madagascar, and has also impacted Mayotte and neighboring regions. Currently, the area is grappling with severe weather conditions. Disaster response efforts are underway, but the residents remain at high risk due to their living conditions and recurring storms.
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has wreaked havoc in Madagascar, where it has resulted in at least three reported fatalities due to severe rainfall and flooding. The cyclone also impacted the French territory of Mayotte, the Comoros archipelago, and Mozambique shortly after another storm, Cyclone Chido, caused considerable destruction in the region.
Cyclone Dikeledi originated in the Southern Indian Ocean between Indonesia and Australia before making landfall in Madagascar on January 11. An estimated 15,000 individuals have been displaced in northern Madagascar, while approximately 20,000 residents of Mayotte have also been forced to evacuate from their homes, as reported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
Despite a slight weakening, Dikeledi led to strong winds, flash floods, and landslides in Mayotte on January 12, causing significant infrastructure damage, particularly in the village of Mbouini. This village, previously spared by Cyclone Chido, was flooded, exacerbating residents’ fears and emphasizing the region’s vulnerability during the ongoing rainy season.
Massa, a local resident, expressed the community’s fear, stating, “We’re only in the middle of the rainy season, so we don’t know what’s going to happen between now and February or March.” Manuel Valls, the French minister for overseas territories, confirmed the violent impact of the storm: “Mayotte faced an intense tropical storm. The impact was violent.”
François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, acknowledged the territory’s precarious condition, citing ongoing severe winds and rainfall. The ECHO report forewarns of potential intensification of the cyclone as it moves southward toward the Mozambique Channel, predicting further adverse weather conditions for Madagascar, Mayotte, Comoros, and Mozambique in the ensuing days.
Cyclone Chido had previously been the most severe tropical cyclone to strike Mayotte in over 90 years, leading to at least 36 deaths in the territory and causing extensive damage. In Mozambique, Cyclone Chido resulted in over 120 fatalities. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated that emergency relief efforts are underway in Madagascar, providing vital support to affected households.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has severely impacted Madagascar, forcing thousands to evacuate and leading to casualties. Mayotte continues to suffer from the repercussions of previous storms, as the region faces ongoing severe weather. Humanitarian efforts are currently in progress, highlighting the urgent need for aid in this vulnerable area amidst extreme weather events.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
