Tropical cyclone Chido hit Mayotte on December 14, bringing winds over 200 km/h and causing extensive destruction. French President Macron declared national mourning amid reports of potential heavy casualties. The cyclone was the strongest to hit Mayotte in 90 years, with significant rainfall and wave activity. It later affected Mozambique and Malawi, as the role of climate change remains unclear according to Météo-France forecasts.
Tropical cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14th, unleashing winds exceeding 200 km/h and gusts surpassing 225 km/h. Météo-France reported it as the strongest storm to impact the island in 90 years. Accompanying the winds were torrential rains leading to 176 mm of precipitation within a span of just 12 hours, alongside perilous seas with wave heights averaging over 5 meters. Chido’s overwhelming force even obliterated some observational facilities operated by Météo-France.
In response to the disaster, French President Emmanuel Macron declared a national mourning period. An extensive emergency and relief effort was swiftly organized, as preliminary reports indicated a potential loss of hundreds of lives on Mayotte, which is ill-prepared for such severe tropical cyclones and contains numerous informal housing structures. This heavy loss occurred despite Météo-France issuing timely and accurate warnings over 50 hours prior to the event.
Warnings began with an amber alert on December 13 at 7 am, escalating to a red alert that evening and eventually reaching a rarely utilized violet alert on the morning of December 14. Cyclone Chido pursued an atypical trajectory, avoiding Madagascar, which could have weakened its severity. Instead, it made a direct and intense impact on Mayotte as its eye enveloped the small island.
Following its landfall on Mayotte, Chido proceeded to strike Mozambique on December 15, where it subsequently weakened but continued to deliver heavy rainfall to both Mozambique and Malawi. Météo-France stated that the influence of climate change on Chido’s intensity and path remains uncertain. They emphasized that the severe impacts were primarily attributable to the cyclone’s direct hit on Mayotte, an occurrence not seen in nearly a century.
Météo-France La Réunion serves as the World Meteorological Organization’s Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for the Southwest Indian Ocean. The RSMC’s forecast for the cyclone season issued on October 31 accurately predicted an early start for the 2024-2025 season; earlier than previous years which only experienced impactful systems starting in January. The outlook projects a near-normal to above-normal cyclone season, predicting 9 to 13 systems, with 4 to 7 potentially reaching tropical cyclone intensity.
In conclusion, tropical cyclone Chido has had a devastating impact on Mayotte, resulting in significant damage and loss of life. Despite early warnings from meteorological authorities, the cyclone’s intensity and track led to unexpected consequences. The event highlights the challenges posed by severe weather in regions unaccustomed to such phenomena and raises questions about the effects of climate change on future cyclone activity in the region.
Original Source: wmo.int
