Cyclone Chido Claims 13 Lives in Malawi, Displaces Thousands

Cyclone Chido has resulted in 13 fatalities in Malawi, affected around 45,000 individuals, and injured nearly 30 others. The storm, which previously devastated Mayotte and Mozambique, showcases the vulnerabilities of southeastern Africa to natural disasters.

Cyclone Chido, which has ravaged parts of southeastern Africa, has led to the tragic loss of 13 lives in Malawi subsequent to its intense impact on France’s Mayotte archipelago and Mozambique. After making landfall, the cyclone weakened as it traveled more than 500 kilometers inland, yet it still caused considerable damage. In Malawi alone, nearly 30 individuals sustained injuries and around 45,000 people were affected by the storm’s passage on Monday, particularly hitting Blantyre, the nation’s second-largest city with an estimated 800,000 residents as of 2018.

Malawi is recognized as one of the world’s poorest nations, with about 71 percent of its population living in conditions of extreme poverty according to data from the World Bank. The occurrence of Cyclone Chido follows similar devastating weather events in the region, highlighting the vulnerability of these areas to natural disasters. Its disastrous path included Mayotte, where governmental authorities have reported 31 fatalities and over 1,000 injuries. In Mozambique, the cyclone’s toll was even higher, with at least 45 confirmed deaths and nearly 500 injuries reported.

In summary, Cyclone Chido has wrought significant devastation across southeastern Africa, particularly impacting Malawi, where it has claimed 13 lives and left tens of thousands affected. This cyclone underscores the ongoing challenges faced by countries in the region, particularly pertaining to disaster preparedness and the socio-economic vulnerabilities that exacerbate the impacts of such extreme weather events. As the affected regions begin recovery efforts, the full extent of the damage still unfolds.

Original Source: www.barrons.com