Cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte on December 14, 2024, classifying as the strongest storm in over 90 years. Formed on December 5, it reached sustained winds of 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour and caused widespread damage across northern areas, including Mamoudzou. Following its impact, the cyclone proceeded to Mozambique, retaining its Category 4 intensity throughout its path.
On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc across the islands of Mayotte, with reports confirming that its hurricane-level winds caused extensive destruction, including downed electric poles, uprooted trees, and severe damage to roofs. Originating in the southeastern Indian Ocean on December 5, the cyclone rapidly intensified, striking the Mauritian islands of Agaléga just prior to Mayotte. On December 12, Cyclone Chido reached its maximum intensity with wind speeds reaching approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour, categorizing it as a strong Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center reported that Cyclone Chido moved westward under conditions favorable for strengthening, including warm sea surface temperatures of about 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) and minimal vertical wind shear. After brushing north of Madagascar on December 13, Chido made landfall on Mayotte, bringing sustained winds of 225 kilometers (140 miles) per hour. A satellite image from NOAA-20, taken shortly after the cyclone’s landfall, captured the devastating impact of this extraordinary storm.
According to Météo-France, Cyclone Chido ranks as the most powerful storm to strike Mayotte in over 90 years. Preliminary assessments by the European Union revealed substantial damage throughout eastern and northern Mayotte, especially affecting Mamoudzou, the island’s capital, and the airport situated on Pamandzi. After causing significant destruction in Mayotte, Cyclone Chido proceeded to strike Mozambique on December 15, maintaining Category 4 tropical cyclone winds during each of its landfalls.
Cyclone Chido’s formation in the southeastern Indian Ocean and subsequent intensification showcases the dynamics of tropical cyclones influenced by environmental factors such as sea temperature and wind patterns. The storm’s trajectory from Madagascar to Mayotte reflects typical cyclone behavior in this region, where warm waters and low shear can lead to the rapid intensification of weather systems. Furthermore, Chido’s impact highlights the increasing severity of tropical storms in vulnerable regions like Mayotte, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and early warning systems for communities at risk from such natural disasters.
In summary, Cyclone Chido stands as a historic meteorological event, marking significant damage and disruption in Mayotte due to its high wind speeds and intensity. The storm’s path and effects underscore the vulnerability of island territories to severe weather phenomena, thereby necessitating enhanced preparedness and response strategies in the face of escalating climate-related risks. Effective disaster management is critical to mitigate the impacts of such cyclones on affected communities.
Original Source: www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov
