Cyclone Dikeledi Strikes Mayotte and Madagascar, Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has caused severe flooding in Madagascar, Mayotte, and Mozambique, leading to multiple fatalities and mass evacuations. Displaced populations and damaged infrastructure compound the ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from a recent cyclone, Cyclone Chido. The storm is expected to bring further adverse weather in the coming days.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has wreaked havoc across southern Africa, resulting in at least three fatalities in Madagascar due to torrential rains and flooding. The cyclone has notably impacted the French island territory of Mayotte, part of the Comoros archipelago, and Mozambique. This disaster follows closely on the heels of Cyclone Chido, which previously devastated Mayotte.

Having formed earlier in the month in the Southern Indian Ocean, Dikeledi intensified as it made landfall in northern Madagascar on January 11. Subsequently, over 15,000 individuals have been displaced in Madagascar, and around 20,000 people in Mayotte are reported to have evacuated their homes. Although the intensity of the cyclone had reduced slightly by the time it reached Mayotte, the region experienced severe winds, flash floods, and landslides on January 12, resulting in significant infrastructure damage.

Reports indicate that the village of Mbouini, previously spared from Cyclone Chido’s destruction, faced flooding from Dikeledi’s rains. Local residents expressed their trauma, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by the rainy season. Manuel Valls, the French Minister for Overseas Territories, described the impact of the storm on Mayotte as violent, while Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the Mayotte prefect, stressed the territory’s vulnerability amid ongoing severe weather conditions.

According to a European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO Flash) report, Cyclone Dikeledi is anticipated to gain further strength as it progresses southward towards the Mozambique Channel over the next few days. The report warns of continued heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges affecting Madagascar, Mayotte, Comoros, and Mozambique in the upcoming days. The recent devastation caused by Cyclone Chido, which claimed numerous lives in Mayotte and Mozambique, has left the residents of these regions in precarious living conditions.

The impact of climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of tropical storms in the southern Indian Ocean, particularly affecting Madagascar, Mayotte, and Mozambique. These regions are prone to various natural disasters, and the vulnerability of the population is exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and housing made of substandard materials. Cyclone Dikeledi follows Cyclone Chido, marking a troubling trend of natural disasters in the area that jeopardize the safety and security of local residents, leaving them at risk of displacement and further significantly impacting their livelihoods.

In summary, the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in southern Africa, particularly in Madagascar, Mayotte, and Mozambique. The cyclone has resulted in fatalities, extensive displacement, and significant infrastructure damage, compounding the challenges faced by communities that have previously suffered from Cyclone Chido. As the region braces for the possibility of intensified weather conditions, sustained humanitarian efforts and disaster preparedness are imperative to protect vulnerable populations.

Original Source: news.mongabay.com