Tropical Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte: A Historic Catastrophe
Tropical cyclone Chido impacted Mayotte on December 14, 2023, with wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h, resulting in severe damage and a national mourning declaration. Despite early weather warnings, hundreds may have perished due to the unusual strength of the cyclone, which also affected Mozambique and Malawi following its landfall.
Tropical cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, 2023, with wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h and gusts surpassing 225 km/h, marking it as the most powerful storm to impact the island in nearly a century, as reported by Météo-France. The cyclone resulted in torrential rainfall, recording 176 mm within 12 hours, and generated dangerous sea conditions with waves averaging over 5 meters. In an unprecedented event, the storm severely damaged Météo-France’s observational infrastructure.
In the aftermath of the cyclone, French President Emmanuel Macron declared a national day of mourning. An extensive emergency response initiative was initiated due to preliminary reports indicating that hundreds of residents, many residing in informal housing, might have lost their lives. The devastation occurred despite timely warnings issued over 50 hours prior to the cyclone’s landfall, including an amber alert on December 13, followed by a red alert that evening and a violet alert by the morning of December 14.
Chido’s unusual trajectory allowed it to bypass Madagascar, which could have potentially weakened its strength before reaching Mayotte as an intense tropical cyclone. The cyclone’s eye directly engulfed the island, resulting in catastrophic consequences. After impacting Mayotte, Chido made landfall in Mozambique on December 15 before gradually weakening, subsequently bringing heavy rainfall to both Mozambique and Malawi.
Météo-France has stated that the specific influence of climate change on Cyclone Chido remains unclear. The agency noted, “The impacts of Chido are above all due to its track and the direct hit on Mayotte. This is an extremely rare event not seen for 90 years.” They expressed limitations in understanding the cyclone’s trajectory and intensity regarding climate change factors.
The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in La Réunion, which serves as the WMO’s center for tropical cyclones in the South-West Indian Ocean, accurately predicted an early commencement of the 2024-2025 cyclone season in its outlook released on October 31. The forecast anticipated that the upcoming season might showcase normal to elevated cyclonic activity, estimating between nine and thirteen systems, with four to seven likely to reach tropical cyclone status.
In conclusion, Tropical cyclone Chido has resulted in unprecedented devastation in Mayotte, marking a historical event with significant loss of life and destruction. While it showcased extreme weather conditions, the precise link between such events and climate change remains inconclusive. As forecasts suggest an active cyclone season ahead, preparedness and awareness will be crucial for the affected regions.
Original Source: wmo.int
