Mozambique Braces for Tropical Cyclone Chido’s Impact on December 15, 2024

Tropical Cyclone Chido is expected to hit Pemba, Mozambique, on December 15, 2024, with severe winds and rainfall, impacting 1.7 million individuals. The response efforts include pre-positioning resources and activating emergency plans to manage potential urban floods and mitigate risks associated with the cyclone, especially amidst an ongoing cholera outbreak.

Tropical Cyclone Chido is anticipated to make landfall in Pemba, Cabo Delgado, early on December 15, 2024, as an Intense Tropical Cyclone. With potential heavy rains reaching up to 200mm and wind speeds up to 120km/h, the cyclone poses significant risks, particularly to an estimated 1.7 million people, of whom one million reside in Cabo Delgado. In preparation, the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) is coordinating efforts to pre-position resources and deploy personnel to vulnerable regions. Additionally, the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) has activated its Emergency Preparedness and Response (ERP) plan to enhance readiness and early action measures.

The impending impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido comes as Mozambique faces the dual challenge of natural calamities and the ongoing cholera outbreak in Nampula; there have been 283 reported cases and 21 fatalities as of December 11. The cyclone is forecasted to affect northern provinces, primarily Cabo Delgado and Nampula, with the potential for urban flooding in specific areas of Pemba City. The Government has initiated an orange alert, allowing for the commencement of early warning systems and the subsequent activation of provincial operational emergency centers.

Carlos de Almeida, the head of the National Institute for Disaster Management, emphasized the importance of precautionary measures in mitigating the cyclone’s impact. With 1.7 million individuals in jeopardy and the threat of exacerbating an existing cholera crisis, a coordinated disaster response and public awareness campaign are pivotal. Support from humanitarian agencies and active collaboration will be vital in addressing the likely needs resulting from Cyclone Chido’s landfall.

Original Source: reliefweb.int