Emergency Preparedness for Tropical Cyclone Chido in Mozambique
Tropical Cyclone Chido is anticipated to hit Pemba, Mozambique, on December 15 as an Intense Tropical Cyclone, risking 1.7 million lives due to high winds and heavy rain. Emergency preparedness protocols are in place, and the government is mobilizing resources while addressing potential complications from a cholera outbreak in Nampula.
Tropical Cyclone Chido is projected to make landfall in Pemba, Cabo Delgado, early on December 15, 2024, as an Intense Tropical Cyclone, bringing heavy rainfall of up to 200mm in 24 hours and winds reaching 120 km/h. Approximately 1.7 million individuals are at risk, including one million in Cabo Delgado who may experience severe winds. The National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) is mobilizing resources and personnel to assist vulnerable communities, while emergency preparedness plans have been activated to facilitate coordinated response efforts.
The cyclone’s expected impact will also affect various northern provinces, specifically Cabo Delgado and Nampula, and potentially Niassa, Tete, and Zambezia. The Government’s Technical Council for Disaster Management reported on December 12 that river basins are currently under alert levels, but areas near at-risk regions could exceed safety thresholds. City areas within Pemba are particularly vulnerable to urban flooding.
Furthermore, there are concerns about the intersection of Cyclone Chido’s impact and the ongoing cholera outbreak in Nampula, which has reported 283 cases and 21 fatalities as of December 11. In anticipation of the cyclone, the government has issued an orange alert and activated provincial emergency centers, with precautions encouraging evacuations in danger zones. Community notifications are being circulated through various media channels to ensure public awareness and preparation.
The INGD has established temporary accommodation centers for cyclone-affected individuals and is prepositioning necessary commodities and logistics to facilitate efficient response measures. The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) has reinforced readiness actions and is coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian partners to strengthen response capacity across multiple regions in northern Mozambique.
While the situation remains fluid, efforts to mitigate the eventual impacts of Cyclone Chido are being systematically executed, with additional support anticipated from regional and international bodies, including the potential deployment of a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team if necessary.
This situation update addresses the imminent threat posed by Tropical Cyclone Chido, which is set to impact various regions of Mozambique on December 15, 2024. Similar in strength to past cyclones, Chido poses significant risks to millions of residents, particularly in the northern provinces. The Government’s proactive measures include the activation of emergency response strategies to ensure community safety and preparedness in the face of expected severe weather conditions.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido represents a substantial threat to millions in Mozambique, with significant rainfall and wind speeds forecasted. Government and humanitarian agencies are actively preparing for the cyclone’s landfall with prepositioned resources and coordinated response measures. Continued vigilance and proactive engagement will be essential to minimizing the storm’s impact on affected communities, particularly in light of existing health crises such as the cholera outbreak.
Original Source: www.unocha.org
