Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique on December 15, causing severe destruction with winds of up to 80 km/h and over 250 mm of rainfall. The storm has already destroyed more than 5,800 homes and disrupted essential services, impacting 2,500 families. Chido previously caused significant damage in Mayotte and continues to threaten Malawi and Zimbabwe as it moves inland.
Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique on December 15, 2023, causing catastrophic damage as it unleashed winds of up to 80 km/h and torrential rainfall surpassing 250 mm within a 24-hour period. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) reported that the cyclone has already destroyed over 5,800 homes and affected 2,500 families due to downed power poles and damaged infrastructure. Communication remains a challenge in the region, as residents cling to their phone batteries for essential contacts amid widespread power outages.
Prior to impacting Mozambique, Tropical Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc on Mayotte, a French Indian Ocean territory, where it struck as a Category 4 cyclone with winds exceeding 220 km/h, obliterating entire communities. As of December 16, the cyclone progressed into Malawi as a moderate tropical storm, with winds and rainfall continuing to pose a threat. The storm is expected to re-enter Mozambique before dissipating near Zimbabwe, prompting local populations to stay informed through meteorological updates.
The Southern African region frequently experiences extreme weather conditions, including tropical cyclones, which can lead to devastating impacts on communities and infrastructure. Tropical Cyclone Chido serves as a recent example of such events, illustrating the vulnerability of countries like Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe to natural disasters. The significant rainfall and wind speeds associated with cyclones can result in floods and disruption of basic utilities, further exacerbating humanitarian needs.
The destructive path of Tropical Cyclone Chido underscores the severe weather challenges faced by Southern Africa, particularly in Mozambique and regions beyond. As recovery efforts commence, the scope of the damage continues to unfold. It is imperative for affected communities to remain vigilant and for national meteorological services to provide timely updates to mitigate risks associated with such extreme weather events.
Original Source: www.vaticannews.va
