Cyclone Chido Causes Devastation in Mayotte

Cyclone Chido made landfall on December 14, 2024, in Mayotte, bringing winds of 225 km/h and causing significant destruction. Formed on December 5 in the Indian Ocean, it was the strongest cyclone to hit the territory in over 90 years. After Mayotte, the cyclone continued to Mozambique, maintaining its Category 4 storm characteristics.

On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck the islands of Mayotte with devastating force, accompanied by hurricane-strength winds that resulted in significant destruction. The cyclone, which originated in the southeastern Indian Ocean on December 5, rapidly intensified, impacting the Mauritian islands before reaching Mayotte. With its peak wind speeds of 225 kilometers per hour at landfall, Chido has been recognized as the most severe storm to affect Mayotte in over nine decades, causing extensive damage in various regions, including the capital city, Mamoudzou.

Following its development, Cyclone Chido evolved within conditions favorable for storm activity, characterized by warm ocean temperatures of approximately 29 degrees Celsius and minimal vertical wind shear. After passing just north of Madagascar, it made landfall on Mayotte’s northern coast. Satellite imagery confirmed the hurricane’s intense structure shortly after it impacted the territory, demonstrating the serious threat it posed to the population and infrastructure.

The European Union’s preliminary evaluation identified significant destruction in the capital of Mamoudzou and extensive damage to critical facilities, including the airport on Pamandzi. Cyclone Chido continued its destructive path, advancing towards Mozambique the following day, where it maintained its formidable wind speeds.

Cyclone Chido represents one of the most powerful storms recorded in the region, highlighting the vulnerability of small island territories to such extreme weather events. The cyclone’s rapid intensification and trajectory through the Indian Ocean underscores the impacts of climate conditions conducive to storm development, particularly warm sea surface temperatures. The phenomenon serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by tropical cyclones, especially in areas that are ill-equipped to handle such natural disasters due to limited infrastructure and resources.

In conclusion, Cyclone Chido’s unprecedented strength and impact on Mayotte illustrate the critical need for enhanced disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in vulnerable regions. The storm’s aftermath raises questions about climate change’s role in exacerbating such extreme weather events, underscoring the importance of monitoring and planning in cyclone-prone areas. The continued research into and understanding of these cyclonic patterns are essential for better safeguarding lives and infrastructure in the future.

Original Source: www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov