Cyclone Chido Devastates Communities from Mayotte to Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc in the southwestern Indian Ocean, leading to at least 22 deaths in Mayotte and significant damage in Mozambique. Affected territories are mobilizing rescue operations, with French President Macron set to visit the region. The cyclone has disrupted social and political stability, particularly in Mozambique, highlighting the urgent need for aid and infrastructure resilience.

Rescue operations are currently underway across the southwestern Indian Ocean following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Chido. As of Tuesday morning, the official death toll in Mayotte, the French territory hardest hit by the storm, stands at 22, with approximately 1,400 individuals reported injured. Local officials anticipate that the death toll could escalate into the hundreds due to the severity of the storm, which has been described as the worst in nearly a century for the region. The French government has implemented a curfew from 10 PM to 4 AM, and President Emmanuel Macron plans to visit Mayotte soon and observe a day of national mourning.

The cyclone, which initially formed between December 7 and 8, made landfall on Agalega, a dependency situated 1,000 kilometers north of Mauritius, on December 11 before heading north of Madagascar and striking Mayotte. Mauritius’ Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam reported that Chido impacted the Agalega atoll at speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour, inflicting damage to critical weather recording equipment. Approximately 95% of the infrastructure on the northern island has been destroyed, with 98% of buildings in the south suffering extensive damage, though no casualties were recorded there.

Mayotte, home to 320,000 residents, many of whom live in vulnerable shantytowns, faced the brunt of Chido’s fury. The territory, financially dependent on aid from France, has experienced significant destruction due to its predominantly poor housing structures, which are ill-equipped to withstand high winds. Subsequently, Chido also made landfall in Mozambique on December 15, bringing over 250 millimeters of rain within a 24-hour period and resulting in the deaths of 34 individuals. Preliminary assessments indicate that more than 35,000 homes have been either fully or partially destroyed in Mozambique.

As Chido moves inland, it is expected to dissipate near Zimbabwe later on Tuesday. Meanwhile, weeks of protests against alleged fraudulent elections in Mozambique have been postponed due to the cyclone’s aftermath. Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane is rescheduling demonstrations until December 23, when the Constitutional Council plans to validate election results.

Tropical Cyclone Chido has caused catastrophic damage across multiple regions in the southwestern Indian Ocean, primarily impacting the French territory of Mayotte and Mozambique. The storm has resulted in significant loss of life and extensive injuries, prompting international assistance. The impact on Mayotte is particularly dire, with widespread destruction of infrastructure in a territory already experiencing socioeconomic challenges. The cyclone also disrupted ongoing political unrest in Mozambique, affecting planned protests regarding electoral transparency.

The aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Chido underscores the vulnerability of island nations in the Indian Ocean to severe weather events, especially as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of such storms. The immediate response from local and national governments, alongside international support, will be critical in addressing the humanitarian crisis and rebuilding efforts required in the regions affected. As communities begin to recover, the need for sustainable infrastructure and disaster resilience will emerge as essential topics for future policy discussions.

Original Source: www.bnnbloomberg.ca