Tropical Cyclone Chido, the first significant storm of the 2024/2025 season, wreaked havoc across the Southwestern Indian Ocean, leading to substantial casualties and widespread infrastructure damage. With subsequent storms like Cyclone Dikeledi and increased rainfall, ongoing humanitarian efforts are critical to support affected communities in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi amidst an above-average cyclone season.
The tropical cyclone season for 2024/2025 in the Southwestern Indian Ocean commenced with significant devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Chido. Intensifying to a powerful Category 4 cyclone by December 11, Chido’s winds reached 220 km/h, leading to catastrophic outcomes in affected regions such as Madagascar, Mozambique, and Mayotte, including at least 172 fatalities and extensive displacement of over 135,800 individuals in Madagascar alone.
In Madagascar, the cyclone’s trajectory, approximately 100 km north of the island’s northern tip, resulted in severe infrastructure damage and flooding from subsequent heavy rains. The Comoros islands mourned for the victims, with damages extending across 64,167 people. In Mayotte, approximately 70 percent of the population suffered adverse effects, with nearly 35,000 homes damaged or destroyed, as well as crucial public services disrupted.
Mozambique experienced substantial devastation as the cyclone impacted 90,640 households, leading to the destruction of 72,160 homes across Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces. In Malawi, Cyclone Chido affected nearly 46,000 individuals, with ongoing rainfall compounding the disaster’s impact. National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent actively supported humanitarian efforts, providing crucial services such as emergency shelter and family reunification.
Following Chido, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi hit Madagascar and Mozambique in January 2025. It affected over 7,000 individuals, damaging schools and homes, and further complicating recovery efforts initiated after Cyclone Chido. The storm’s turbulent winds and rainfall severely impacted existing infrastructures, highlighting continued vulnerabilities in the region.
Late February introduced Cyclones Garance and Honde, bringing additional severe weather to the region. While Garance affected La Réunion, Honde produced destructive rain in southern Madagascar, displacing nearly 100,000 people. The ongoing flooding in Southeastern Africa, particularly due to rain impacts from both cyclones, has displaced thousands in Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique and raised mortality rates in response to the associated hazards.
To confront these escalating threats, proactive measures such as activating Early Action Protocols and enhancing disaster preparedness have been implemented. The Emergency Appeal aims to bolster resources for humanitarian assistance and strengthen resilience in affected communities through the cyclone season and beyond.
Heightened rainfall and the unexpected intensity of cyclones underscore the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management initiatives. It is imperative to sustain preparedness and resilience strategies within communities to mitigate future risks and alleviate the challenges created by these increasingly frequent and intense tropical storms.
The Southeast Indian Ocean region has faced unprecedented challenges this cyclone season, with Cyclone Chido causing significant destruction across Madagascar, Mozambique, and Mayotte. The resulting humanitarian crisis necessitates increased emergency relief efforts, demonstrating a crucial need for readiness in the face of unpredictable weather patterns. Continuous support for vulnerable communities and strengthening of disaster management protocols are essential to safeguard populations against future cyclonic activities.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
