Cyclone Chido Causes Devastating Impact on Mayotte and Threatens Eastern Africa

Tropical Cyclone Chido has severely impacted Mayotte, causing extensive damage with wind speeds over 220 km/h. Officials have mobilized emergency services as the cyclone moves toward Mozambique, posing a threat to millions. The event underscores the ongoing challenges of the cyclone season in southern Africa, compounded by climate change.

Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted significant damage on Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, as it heads toward eastern Africa. With wind speeds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour, the cyclone has resulted in widespread destruction, including the removal of metal roofing from residences. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of casualties. Mayotte’s Prefect, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, described this cyclone as possibly the most violent one since 1934, emphasizing the severe impact on the local population, many of whom have lost their possessions.

In response to the crisis, emergency services have mobilized to assist the affected communities. Although the highest alert has been downgraded to allow for rescue operations, the general public remains cautioned to stay indoors in secure shelter. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau acknowledged the extensive ruin and the rapid deployment of resources, including both local and additional rescuers sent from France and Réunion. Despite the precautions, thousands remain without electricity, and structures, including tin huts, have been obliterated.

The cyclone’s impact extends beyond Mayotte, with the nearby Comoros Islands also facing severe weather. Authorities have raised the highest red alert, particularly concerning a missing group of fishermen. In preparation for Chido’s impact, Comoros has taken measures such as ordering maritime vessels to remain docked, closing the main airport, and suspending operations in schools.

Forecasters predict that the cyclone will proceed eastward to strike Mozambique, potentially affecting 2.5 million individuals in the northern provinces. As the cyclone season persists in Southern Africa, nations such as Malawi and Zimbabwe are actively preparing for possible flooding and evacuations. These regions have faced destructive cyclones in the past, prompting concerns about humanitarian crises resulting from adverse weather conditions that are likely exacerbated by climate change.

The Indian Ocean cyclone season, spanning from December to March, is known for producing significant storms that can wreak havoc in affected regions. In recent years, powerful cyclones have significantly impacted Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, claiming thousands of lives and creating widespread humanitarian crises. The aftereffects of such cyclones often involve flooding, landslides, and outbreaks of waterborne diseases, posing further challenges to communities that are already vulnerable. The worsening intensity of these storms has been associated with climate change, highlighting the disproportionate suffering endured by poorer nations that contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has devastated Mayotte, marking one of the strongest cyclones in nearly a century, with catastrophic effects on the local population. The cyclone’s trajectory poses a significant threat to Mozambique and surrounding regions, necessitating ongoing preparedness efforts. As climate change continues to heighten the intensity of such storms, affected nations must face the daunting task of recovering from natural disasters exacerbated by environmental factors beyond their control.

Original Source: www.voanews.com