Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14 with winds exceeding 200 km/h, marking the strongest storm in nearly 90 years. Torrential rainfall and severe sea conditions compounded the disaster, resulting in a national mourning declaration by President Macron. Despite timely warnings from Météo-France, the storm caused significant loss of life, necessitating emergency relief efforts.
On December 14, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with devastating force, delivering wind speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour, reaching gusts of over 225 kilometers per hour. According to Météo-France, this cyclone is recorded as the strongest to impact Mayotte in nearly 90 years. Accompanying the winds were torrential rains amounting to 176 millimeters within just 12 hours, compounded by perilous sea conditions with average wave heights surpassing 5 meters. The cyclone’s intensity was such that it obliterated parts of Météo-France’s observational infrastructure on the island.
In response to the catastrophe, French President Emmanuel Macron declared a national day of mourning. An extensive emergency relief operation was swiftly initiated, prompted by early estimates suggesting the potential for hundreds of casualties, particularly in informal housing which is prevalent on the island and ill-equipped to withstand such extreme weather events. Remarkably, despite accurate forecasts and timely warnings from Météo-France, which issued alerts over 50 hours prior, the loss of life was significant—an amber alert was communicated on December 13 at 7 AM, followed by a red alert that evening, ultimately escalating to a rare violet alert by the morning of December 14.
Chido took an unusual path, bypassing the larger island of Madagascar where it might have been weakened, directly impacting Mayotte as a fierce tropical cyclone. Following its landfall on Mayotte, Chido moved on to Mozambique on December 15, where it began to weaken while still bringing substantial rainfall to the regions of Mozambique and Malawi.
The complexity of the cyclone’s cause and potential implications of climate change remain subjects of ongoing analysis. Météo-France noted that while climate change’s specific role is unclear, the cyclone’s direct impact is mainly attributed to its trajectory and its unprecedented strike on Mayotte. The agency indicated that such an occurrence has not been observed in the last nine decades, stating, “The impacts of Chido are above all due to its track and the direct hit on Mayotte.”
The South-West Indian Ocean’s upcoming cyclone season, as forecasted by Météo-France, anticipates near to above-normal activity levels, with 9 to 13 weather systems projected, of which 4 to 7 may escalate to tropical cyclone status. This outlook follows a pattern where systems had historically begun to emerge only in January during the previous three seasons.
Tropical cyclones are severe storm systems that can cause significant destruction, particularly in regions that are unaccustomed to such natural disasters. Mayotte, located in the Indian Ocean, has faced various climate challenges but had not previously experienced a cyclone of the intensity brought by Chido. Understanding the impact of tropical cyclones involves examining meteorological patterns, regional climate change influences, and the preparedness of local infrastructure to respond to extreme weather events. The recent incident has raised questions on the island’s readiness for such phenomena as climate change potentially alters weather patterns across the globe.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido’s unprecedented impact on Mayotte instigated national mourning and prompted extensive emergency relief efforts amidst significant loss of life. Accurate early warnings did not prevent the substantial casualties, highlighting the vulnerability of the island’s infrastructure. As the forthcoming cyclone season approaches, the capacity for future preparedness remains a critical issue, with ongoing discussions about the potential influences of climate change on cyclone frequency and intensity.
Original Source: wmo.int
