Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique on 15 December 2024, causing widespread devastation in northern regions, particularly Cabo Delgado. With winds of up to 120 km/h and over 250 mm of rain, about 174,000 people were affected, leading to 34 deaths and significant infrastructure damage. Agriculture suffered devastating losses, and the risk of waterborne diseases is rising, necessitating urgent humanitarian intervention to support recovery efforts.
On 15 December 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mecufi in Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, unleashing winds reaching 120 km/h and torrential rainfall surpassing 250 mm within a single day. This severe weather event has profoundly affected northern Mozambique, especially in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa, with Tete and northern Zambézia also sensing its repercussions. Initial reports from the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD) indicated that as of 17 December, the cyclone had impacted approximately 174,000 individuals, leading to 34 fatalities and 319 injuries. Critical infrastructure has sustained significant damage, with over 35,000 homes destroyed or partially compromised, alongside essential services including educational institutions and healthcare facilities.
Particularly hard-hit areas include the Mecufi and Chiure districts, where nearly all homes have been affected and health services have been incapacitated. The cyclone has dealt a catastrophic blow to agriculture, with thousands of hectares of staple crops such as maize, beans, sesame, and cassava obliterated. Consequently, local communities face a dire food shortage with little hope for immediate recovery. Additionally, Memba and Erati districts in Nampula have reported severe hardships for over 3,600 families due to the damage inflicted on fishing assets and livelihoods.
The widespread destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure has significantly increased the risk of waterborne diseases, particularly cholera, which poses a persistent threat in the region. These disasters have disrupted communication and power lines, thus complicating humanitarian efforts to assist the affected populations. Given that over 80% of the Mozambican population relies on agriculture for sustenance and income, there is an urgent need for intervention to assist impacted households in rebuilding their lives and restoring their access to essential food supplies.
Tropical Cyclones frequently threaten Mozambique, leading to extensive public health and safety crises. Cyclone Chido, which made landfall on 15 December 2024, exemplifies the destructive forces of nature that exacerbate already vulnerable situations in the region. Serving as a backdrop of displacement and disease outbreaks, particularly cholera, the consequences of such extreme weather further strain the resources and resilience of affected communities. With agriculture as the backbone of the economy, cyclones not only disrupt immediate food supplies but also jeopardize long-term economic stability, amplifying the urgent need for preparedness and recovery measures.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido’s impact on Mozambique has been catastrophic, particularly in the northern regions where entire communities have suffered extensive damage. The loss of lives, homes, and crops underscores the urgency of a coordinated humanitarian response. As the nation grapples with the multidimensional crises of natural disaster and pre-existing vulnerabilities, immediate assistance and recovery strategies are vital in stabilizing the affected populations and rebuilding their livelihoods.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
