Tropical Cyclone Chido: Severe Impact in Southern Africa

Tropical Cyclone Chido hit Mozambique on December 15, bringing devastating winds and rainfall, resulting in extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Communication challenges persist due to power outages. Chido previously struck Mayotte, inflicting severe destruction as a Category 4 cyclone. The cyclone is now moving into Malawi and expected to dissipate near Zimbabwe.

Tropical Cyclone Chido made its destructive landfall in Mozambique on December 15, unleashing severe winds reaching gusts of 80 km/h, heavy rainfall surpassing 250 mm within a single day, and thunderstorms. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) reports that the cyclone has decimated over 5,800 homes, damaged 41 classrooms, and knocked down power poles, leaving 2,500 families in dire circumstances. As assessments progress, these figures are expected to rise.

Communication in the affected regions has been severely hampered due to outages, as reported by a colleague speaking from Pemba. Residents must conserve battery life on their devices, allowing only for vital communications. Prior to impacting Mozambique, Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc in Mayotte, where it struck as a Category 4 cyclone with winds exceeding 220 km/h, resulting in the destruction of entire neighborhoods.

As of December 16, Chido continued to move inland toward Malawi as a moderate tropical storm, with its center passing through southern Malawi, manifesting as heavy winds and a rainfall total between 100 to 150 mm. The cyclone is anticipated to re-emerge in Mozambique’s Tete Province, subsequently dissipating near Zimbabwe by December 17. Authorities advise residents of Mozambique and Malawi to monitor ongoing weather forecasts through official meteorological services.

The impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido underscores the vulnerability of Southern African countries to severe weather events, especially as climate change alters patterns and intensities of storms. The SADC plays a key role in coordinating disaster response and relief efforts in the region. Previous cyclones have revealed systemic weaknesses in infrastructure and preparedness, necessitating ongoing assessments and improvements in disaster resilience strategies. Understanding the patterns and effects of Cyclone Chido provides insight into regional challenges in managing natural disasters and facilitating recovery efforts.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has caused significant destruction in Mozambique, following its earlier devastation in Mayotte. The cyclone’s aftermath has left thousands of families in hardship, with ongoing power outages and communication issues exacerbating the situation. Monitoring by national meteorological services remains crucial as the cyclone continues to affect the region. The anticipated path of Chido highlights the need for effective disaster preparedness strategies in Southern Africa.

Original Source: www.vaticannews.va