Tropical Cyclone Chido has impacted Mayotte and the Comoros, threatening around 2.5 million people, predominantly in Mozambique, Malawi, and the Comoros. With expectations of heavy rainfall and strong winds, authorities are undertaking extensive emergency response and preparedness efforts across the region.
On December 14, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido inflicted significant weather disruptions as it struck Mayotte and the Comoros. With about 2.5 million individuals living in the cyclone’s projected path, the impending threat poses serious risks of flooding and mudslides, especially for over 1.7 million residents in Mozambique, 440,000 in Malawi, and nearly 370,000 in the Comoros. The cyclone reached Tropical Cyclone Category 3 status after temporarily escalating to Category 4.
As Chido made its way through the region, it demonstrated intense wind speeds and heavy precipitation, culminating in dangerous conditions at sea and heightened flood risks. In the Comoros, reports indicated some structural damage, particularly in Anjouan, where five homes were destroyed, while searches for 11 missing fishermen in Ngazidja continued. Additionally, forecasts predict the cyclone will land in northern Mozambique on December 15, resulting in heavy rains and high waves, elevating the potential for further disasters.
Regional and national authorities have commenced extensive emergency preparedness measures, conducting assessments of the ongoing impacts. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and local meteorological agencies are diligently monitoring the cyclone’s path and issuing alerts for necessary safety precautions. In light of the cyclone’s intensity, strategies to ensure timely humanitarian responses have been initiated, emphasizing resource prepositioning in high-risk areas.
Tropical Cyclone Chido emerged as a potent weather system in the southeastern Indian Ocean, quickly escalating in strength and threatening several regions in Southern Africa. This cyclone follows a worrying trend of increasing cyclone intensity and frequency in this area, driven by climatic changes. The impact of Cyclone Chido highlights the urgent need for regional preparedness and robust disaster response mechanisms, particularly as the projected trajectory risks millions of lives and infrastructure across Mozambique, Malawi, and the Comoros. Authorities from competing sectors, including humanitarian, meteorological, and disaster management, are mobilizing resources and coordinating actions to mitigate the cyclone’s destructive potential.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido poses a significant threat to Southern Africa, particularly affecting Mozambique, Malawi, and the Comoros with extreme winds and heavy rainfall. Authorities are actively engaged in preparedness and response initiatives to safeguard affected populations. The unfolding situation emphasizes the necessity for continuous monitoring and effective resource mobilization to mitigate potential disasters and ensure the safety of millions in affected regions.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
