Tropical Cyclone Chido Causes Catastrophic Damage in Mayotte
On December 14, tropical cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with unprecedented intensity, achieving wind speeds of over 200 km/h, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life. French President Macron declared national mourning while Météo-France’s forecasts highlighted the rarity of such an event. Following Mayotte, Chido impacted Mozambique, bringing heavy rainfall, raising concerns about the evolving cyclone patterns in the region amidst discussions about climate change.
Tropical cyclone Chido struck the island of Mayotte on December 14, unleashing winds exceeding 200 km/h and gusts surpassing 225 km/h. This storm represented the most ferocious weather event to impact Mayotte in approximately 90 years, as reported by Météo-France. The cyclone was accompanied by torrential rains, totaling 176 mm within a 12-hour timeframe, alongside perilous wave heights reaching over 5 meters, which severely affected the region’s infrastructure, including the obliteration of Météo-France’s observational facilities.
In response to the devastation, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a national period of mourning. Initial assessments indicated the possibility of significant casualties among the island’s population, which is notably unprepared for such intense cyclonic events, especially in areas comprised of informal housing. Despite timely alerts issued by Météo-France, predicting the storm over 50 hours prior—ranging from an amber alert on December 13 to a rare violet alert on December 14—the cyclone’s impact resulted in tragic loss.
Chido took a distinctive path that skirted the larger island of Madagascar, which may have otherwise weakened the storm’s intensity, leading to a direct and catastrophic encounter with Mayotte. Following this, the cyclone made landfall in Mozambique on December 15, contributing to heavy rainfall in both Mozambique and Malawi. Météo-France has indicated that the relationship between climate change and this cyclone’s occurrence remains unclear, noting, “The impacts of Chido are above all due to its track and the direct hit on Mayotte.”
According to Météo-France, this event is historically rare, with no similar occurrence documented in the last nine decades. The seasonal forecast issued by Météo-France on October 31 anticipated early cyclone activity for the 2024-2025 season, predicting near-normal to above-normal cyclone activity with between nine to thirteen potential systems and four to seven reaching the tropical cyclone stage.
As tropical cyclone Chido has demonstrated, the increased frequency and severity of such weather events pose serious risks, particularly to regions unaccustomed to such extremes. The response efforts and the forthcoming cyclone season will be pivotal in addressing the vulnerabilities exposed by this natural disaster.
The Indian Ocean region, particularly the smaller islands like Mayotte, is susceptible to tropical cyclones, which can manifest with devastating effects on the vulnerable infrastructure and population. Mayotte, located between Madagascar and the African mainland, has historically faced fewer severe storms, making the advent of cyclone Chido a significant anomaly. Meteorological advancements have improved warning systems, yet the unpredictable nature of cyclones continues to present challenges in disaster preparedness and response in these areas. The seasonal forecasts from Météo-France provide insights into trends and potential impacts, aiding in the planning for upcoming cyclone seasons.
In conclusion, the devastation wrought by tropical cyclone Chido on Mayotte is a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. Despite early warnings from meteorological authorities, the island faced significant loss due to the cyclone’s unprecedented intensity. The implications of climate change on such phenomena remain a subject of ongoing research, emphasizing the need for robust disaster management frameworks to mitigate impacts from future cyclones in the region.
Original Source: wmo.int
