Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province on December 15, following its destructive path through Mayotte. The storm, with wind gusts surpassing 136 mph, affected approximately 1.7 million individuals in Mozambique, and authorities estimate significant casualties in Mayotte. Humanitarian organizations are currently focused on immediate response efforts.
Cyclone Chido, classified as a Category 4 storm, struck Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, particularly impacting Pemba, on December 15. This cyclone, which previously devastated the French territory of Mayotte, has resulted in severe weather conditions including heavy rain and destructive winds. Reports indicate that approximately 1.7 million individuals in Mozambique are affected, with organizations such as the International Organization for Migration and UNICEF actively working on relief efforts. The cyclone has caused significant destruction, with millions vulnerable amidst the ongoing response efforts.
Before reaching Mozambique, Cyclone Chido caused considerable devastation in Mayotte, with entire neighborhoods reportedly flattened. Wind gusts from the cyclone reached heights of 136 mph (220 km/h), leading to a catastrophic situation with a high potential for loss of life. Local authorities in Mayotte suggest that hundreds, if not thousands, of casualties may have occurred; however, determining an accurate death toll is challenging due to cultural practices of quick burials. The cyclone has been noted as one of the most severe storms to impact Mayotte in over nine decades, raising serious concerns for both immediate and long-term recovery efforts.
Tropical cyclones, particularly in southwestern Indian Ocean regions, can cause significant disruptions and disasters. Cyclone Chido made its presence felt as a potent weather event, first hitting Mayotte, a French-administered territory, before making landfall in Mozambique. The damage inflicted by such storms can overwhelm local response capacities and humanitarian resources, leading to dire situations for affected populations. Possessing characteristics typical of powerful cyclones, Chido has solicited responses from various humanitarian organizations aimed at mitigating the impact on communities across the regions it affected.
In summary, Cyclone Chido has had a profound impact on both Mayotte and Mozambique, leading to extensive damage and affecting millions. The extent of devastation in Mayotte, with reports of flattened neighborhoods and substantial loss of life, raises urgent concerns for immediate humanitarian assistance. As organizations mobilize to provide relief in Mozambique, the long-term repercussions of the cyclone will necessitate ongoing support and recovery efforts in the region.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
