Cyclone Chido is approaching the Indian Ocean islands of Comoros, Madagascar, and Mayotte, prompting school closures and emergency preparations. Countries are issuing red alerts, anticipating impacts on millions, including potential flooding and health crises. The heightened cyclone season signals ongoing risks due to climate change.
The Indian Ocean islands of Comoros, Madagascar, and Mayotte are currently preparing for the impact of Cyclone Chido, which is advancing toward Africa’s eastern coast. Comoros has mandated the closure of schools as the cyclone is expected to make landfall by Saturday morning. The cyclone will initially pass near the northern tip of Madagascar, which has activated cell phone alerts and radio broadcasts urging residents to take precautions. The French territory of Mayotte is on high alert, with a red warning issued due to Chido’s approach.
Mozambique has projected that Cyclone Chido could affect over 2 million people in the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula, as authorities prepare for the storm’s landfall expected on Sunday. Ana Cristina, head of Mozambique’s National Emergency Operations Center, anticipated significant rescue needs due to the cyclone’s intensity, with wind speeds reaching up to 200 kilometers per hour.
In Madagascar, emergency evacuations are underway, particularly in the region of Diana, where nearly 20,000 individuals are expected to be impacted. The local government has been actively distributing emergency supplies such as food, water pumps, generators, and chainsaws since earlier this week. Meanwhile, the French government is deploying about 110 emergency workers and resources to Mayotte in anticipation of the storm, including search and rescue specialists.
Cyclone Chido’s approach is particularly critical as it aligns with the cyclone season in the region, continuing a series of intense storms that have wreaked havoc in recent years. Past cyclones, notably Idai in 2019 and Freddy in 2022, have resulted in thousands of fatalities and extensive damage across several countries including Mozambique, where the scale of destruction has drawn attention to the worsening impact of cyclones attributed to climate change. The coastal and island regions remain vulnerable, with significant preparations underway to mitigate the anticipated repercussions of Cyclone Chido.
In summary, the imminent arrival of Cyclone Chido has prompted emergency preparations across the Indian Ocean islands of Comoros, Madagascar, and Mayotte. Authorities are taking extensive measures to safeguard populations and provide necessary aid, anticipating severe weather conditions that could lead to significant humanitarian challenges. As the cyclone season progresses, these islands face an ongoing threat from increasingly severe storms, necessitating sustained vigilance and preparedness.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
