Cyclone Chido Causes Devastation in Mayotte and Mozambique, Risks Escalate
Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 15, causing widespread destruction and critical infrastructure damage. Experts link the cyclone’s severity to climate change. Communication and utilities are disrupted, hampering rescue efforts, with death tolls feared to be in the thousands. The cyclone later impacted Mozambique, putting 1.7 million people at risk. EU and WHO pledged aid, though assessment of damages is complicated by undocumented residents.
On December 15, Cyclone Chido made landfall in France’s Mayotte, inflicting significant damage to the region. Entire shantytowns were flattened, and vital infrastructure, including the airport, sustained severe destruction. Climate change experts attribute the cyclone’s intensity to the unusual warmth of the Indian Ocean waters. Currently, power, water, and communication services are disrupted, complicating rescue operations. It is feared that the death toll may escalate into the thousands. Following the devastation in Mayotte, Cyclone Chido also struck Mozambique, where further extensive damage occurred. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) has indicated that approximately 1.7 million individuals are now at risk in the affected regions. In response to the crisis, European Union Chief Ursula von der Leyen and the World Health Organization have committed to providing aid; however, the presence of around 100,000 undocumented residents in Mayotte is hindering a comprehensive assessment of the destruction.
Cyclone Chido is part of a concerning trend of increasing cyclone intensity linked to climate change phenomena. The interaction of warmer ocean waters with atmospheric conditions has led to the emergence of severe weather patterns globally. The Indian Ocean, particularly, has been identified as a hotspot for such cyclones, raising alarms among environmental experts and prompting discussions about disaster preparedness and response strategies. Countries in the cyclone-prone regions face ongoing challenges in humanitarian response due to infrastructural damage and population displacement.
In conclusion, Cyclone Chido has caused catastrophic effects in Mayotte and Mozambique, revealing the urgent need for disaster preparedness and climate change mitigation. The challenges posed by infrastructural damage and the presence of undocumented residents further complicate rescue and recovery efforts. As international aid organizations mobilize, it is crucial to enhance strategies for future resilience against such natural disasters.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
