Cyclone Chido Causes Widespread Devastation in Mayotte
Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, 2024, as a Category 4 hurricane with winds reaching 225 km/h. It caused widespread destruction across the islands, significantly impacting the capital, Mamoudzou. Formed in the Indian Ocean on December 5, Chido intensified rapidly and is noted as the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in over 90 years before moving on to Mozambique.
On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido devastated the French territory of Mayotte, bringing catastrophic weather conditions characterized by hurricane-force winds. Initially forming on December 5 in the southeastern Indian Ocean, Chido demonstrated rapid intensification, reaching its peak intensity with winds of approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour before making landfall near Madagascar and then in Mayotte. The cyclone’s winds at landfall registered at 225 kilometers (140 miles) per hour, making it the most powerful storm to impact Mayotte in more than 90 years.
The aftermath of Cyclone Chido revealed widespread destruction across various regions of Mayotte, notably affecting the capital city of Mamoudzou and the airport on Petite Terre. Satellite imagery from the European Union indicated significant infrastructure damage in both northern and eastern sectors of the island. Following its landfall in Mayotte, Cyclone Chido proceeded to travel westward, impacting Mozambique on December 15.
Cyclone Chido represents a severe tropical cyclone that has affected the Indian Ocean region significantly. Such cyclonic events often stem from warm ocean waters and atmospheric conditions conducive to storm development. Cyclone Chido’s formation and trajectory illuminate the broader patterns of hydro-meteorological phenomena in tropical regions, particularly in response to climatic factors such as sea surface temperatures and wind patterns. The storm’s historical intensity emphasizes the increasing risks associated with tropical cyclones, particularly for island nations.
In summary, Cyclone Chido has notably impacted Mayotte with its unprecedented strength, leading to extensive infrastructural damage and human disruption. With wind speeds that classified it as a strong Category 4 hurricane, the cyclone’s effects are expected to resonate within the community for an extended period. The storm underscores the urgent need for preparedness protocols in vulnerable regions likely to face similar future weather events.
Original Source: earthobservatory.nasa.gov
