Cyclone Chido has killed at least eleven in Mayotte, causing extensive damage and injuries, with further casualties feared. The cyclone has impacted surrounding islands and made landfall in Mozambique, where millions are at risk. This event highlights the increasing severity of cyclones in the southeastern Indian Ocean region.
Cyclone Chido has tragically resulted in the deaths of at least eleven individuals in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, according to a report from France’s Interior Ministry. The ministry indicated that obtaining an accurate count of casualties has proven challenging, with concerns that the death toll may rise further. Critical conditions were noted for nine individuals at a local hospital, alongside 246 others who sustained injuries.
The cyclone has wreaked havoc in Mayotte, which lies along Chido’s path, prompting widespread destruction throughout the region. This weather event has been reported as the worst cyclone to impact Mayotte in nearly nine decades, prompting French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to express concerns about the potential for a high death toll. With winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour recorded, the cyclone has caused severe damage to infrastructure, including uprooting trees, destroying houses, and damaging the main airport.
Chido’s impact was not limited to Mayotte, as it also affected surrounding islands like Comoros and Madagascar. Following its passage through Mayotte, the cyclone made landfall in Mozambique, where emergency officials issued warnings that approximately 2.5 million individuals could face repercussions in two northern provinces. Similarly, neighboring landlocked nations such as Malawi and Zimbabwe are preparing for potential flooding, with discussions underway regarding evacuating residents from vulnerable areas.
Cyclone activity in this part of the Indian Ocean has become increasingly concerning, with previous storms, such as Cyclone Idai in 2019, resulting in over 1,500 fatalities across Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
Cyclone Chido is a powerful tropical cyclone that struck the southeastern Indian Ocean, particularly impacting Mayotte, which is known for its vulnerability to natural disasters due to economic challenges, including drought and underinvestment. The region has experienced a series of cyclones in recent years, with prior events like Cyclone Idai demonstrating the devastating effects such weather patterns can have on communities in the Indian Ocean region. As climate phenomena become more frequent, adequate emergency preparedness and response are critical to mitigate their impact on local populations.
In summary, Cyclone Chido has claimed at least eleven lives in Mayotte, leaving extensive destruction in its wake and raising fears of further casualties. Its powerful winds and resultant damage have made it one of the most severe cyclones to hit the region in decades. The cyclone has also impacted Mozambique and adjacent areas, with millions at risk and neighboring countries preparing for potential flooding. The trend of increasing cyclone strength calls for enhanced preparedness strategies to protect vulnerable populations.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
