Cyclone Chido has caused extensive devastation in Mozambique and Malawi, resulting in at least 94 deaths in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi. The cyclone, with winds reaching 260 km/h, has affected around 622,000 individuals, damaging or destroying 140,000 homes and numerous public facilities.
The reported death toll from Cyclone Chido in Mozambique has tragically risen to 94. The cyclone made landfall along the Indian Ocean coastline on December 15, unleashing winds that reached speeds of 260 kilometers per hour (approximately 161.5 miles per hour). The National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) has reported that approximately 622,000 individuals have been affected, with 768 injuries documented. The cyclone’s destruction is extensive, having devastated or damaged about 140,000 residences, and also impacting numerous health centers, public buildings, and schools.
In addition, neighboring Malawi has reported 13 fatalities attributed to Cyclone Chido, which commenced affecting the country on the same date. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) of Malawi indicated that at least 30 individuals were injured, with over 35,000 people affected by the cyclone. Notably, Cyclone Chido initially struck the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte on December 14 before wreaking havoc across Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, leading to significant destruction across the region.
Cyclone Chido is part of a series of severe weather events intensifying in the Indian Ocean due to climate change, causing catastrophic impacts on vulnerable coastal regions. As evidenced by its wind speeds, Chido exemplifies the increasingly severe nature of seasonal cyclones, which can destroy infrastructure and adversely affect vast populations. The cyclone has highlighted ongoing struggles faced by affected nations, particularly in terms of disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
The impacts of Cyclone Chido have been devastating, with a rising death toll and significant injuries reported across Mozambique and Malawi. With extensive damage to homes, schools, and public health facilities, the aftermath of this climatic event underscores the urgent need for robust disaster management strategies in the face of increasing natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
