Cyclone Chido has caused at least 11 deaths and extensive damage in Mayotte before reaching Mozambique, potentially affecting millions. The French government is mobilizing resources for rescue and rebuilding efforts amid growing concerns over future impacts of climate change and humanitarian crises in the region.
Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and extensive damage before its landfall in Mozambique. This severe tropical cyclone, with wind speeds exceeding 220 kph (136 mph), is estimated to affect 2.5 million individuals in northern Mozambique, where urgent warnings have been issued regarding further potential loss of life and severe destruction. As rescue efforts intensify, authorities continue to grapple with assessing the full scale of the disaster, as critical infrastructure and homes across Mayotte have been heavily impacted, leaving the population in dire need of support and assistance.
The French Interior Ministry reported that the violence of Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte on Saturday, marks it as the most catastrophic cyclone in 90 years for the island. With a population of over 300,000, Mayotte, characterized by significant poverty, faced devastating consequences. Videos shared by residents illustrated complete destruction in several neighborhoods, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian aid. The French government is mobilizing resources, including police and military support, alongside a planned establishment of an air and sea bridge to restore critical services on the island.
As Cyclone Chido progresses, its trajectory has moved towards northern Mozambique, raising alarms in surrounding regions, including Malawi and Zimbabwe, for potential evacuations due to flooding. The humanitarian crisis is expected to follow due to the risk of secondary disasters, such as cholera outbreaks and landslides, further exacerbating already vulnerable communities affected by climate change. The increasing severity of cyclones is attributed to climate change, necessitating a critical response and assistance from wealthier nations, which has become a central appeal from the impacted countries.
Cyclones represent a recurrent threat to many regions, particularly in southern Africa, where the cyclone season spans from December to March. The rise in cyclone intensity has been linked to climate change, affecting poorer countries that contribute minimally to global warming while facing severe humanitarian crises as a result. Cyclone Chido is the latest in a series of strong cyclones that have struck the region, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities and the urgent need for international assistance to mitigate the impacts of such natural disasters.
In summary, Cyclone Chido has inflicted significant damages and casualties across Mayotte and poses further risks in Mozambique and adjacent regions. The French government is actively addressing the crisis while navigating the challenges of assessing the full scale of destruction. This incident exemplifies the increasing severity of climatic events attributed to climate change, which calls for immediate support from the international community to aid affected nations during this humanitarian emergency.
Original Source: time.com
