Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte, Threatens Eastern Africa With Destruction
Tropical Cyclone Chido has caused significant damage in Mayotte with wind speeds over 220 km/h, affecting thousands of homes and causing widespread power outages. While no casualties have been reported, emergency services are responding to the disaster, and neighboring Comoros has issued alerts due to storm concerns. Mozambique is preparing for the cyclone’s imminent arrival, with potential impacts on 2.5 million people. Past cyclones in the region raise alarm over future humanitarian crises, exacerbated by climate change.
Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc across the French territory of Mayotte, significantly damaging infrastructure and homes as it advances toward eastern Africa. The cyclone registered wind speeds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour, resulting in metal roofs being torn off buildings in Mayotte, which has a population of over 300,000 across two primary islands. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of fatalities.
Mayotte Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville described the cyclone as the most destructive to strike the territory since 1934, indicating that many residents have lost their homes and possessions. He announced that the highest level of alert was lifted to allow rescue operations to commence once the worst of the storm had subsided. Nevertheless, citizens in Mayotte remain under a red alert, with the public advised to seek shelter in secure locations.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau conveyed concerning news about the storm’s impact, stating on social media, “The damages already appear to be extensive.” Emergency services have been mobilized, with 110 rescuers and firefighters deployed from France and La Réunion, alongside a further 140 reinforcements scheduled for Sunday. Reports indicate that thousands of homes are without electricity, and extensive debris, including blown over trees and destroyed temporary structures, litter the landscape.
In the neighboring Comoros Islands, also affected by Cyclone Chido, authorities expressed grave concern for a group of 11 fishermen presumed missing at sea. In light of the storm, Comorian officials have mandated that all vessels remain anchored and have closed the main airport and governmental offices to ensure public safety.
Forecasters predict that Chido is set to impact Mozambique by late Saturday or early Sunday, with the national disaster agency warning that up to 2.5 million individuals in the northern provinces may face severe consequences. Countries further inland, such as Malawi and Zimbabwe, have begun preparations for possible flooding and evacuations. The cyclone season in the southeastern Indian Ocean typically spans from December to March, and the region has witnessed a series of increasingly severe storms in recent years, exacerbated by climate change.
Past cyclones, such as Idai in 2019, have caused significant loss of life and destruction across southern Africa. The aftermath of such storms poses additional risks, including flooding and potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dengue fever, and malaria—compounding the humanitarian crises faced by already vulnerable populations.
Tropical cyclones pose a significant threat to regions around the Indian Ocean, especially during the cyclone season that runs from December to March. Countries in southern Africa are particularly susceptible to these weather events, which have increasingly intensified in recent years, a trend attributed to climate change. Cyclones disrupt local communities, leading to loss of life, injuries, property damage, and threats from secondary health crises. Emergency preparedness and response are crucial in mitigating these impacts.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has severely impacted Mayotte and neighboring areas, highlighting the destructive potential of cyclones in southern Africa. With extensive damage reported and concerns for missing individuals in the Comoros, emergency services are mobilizing to address the crisis. Mozambique and surrounding nations are bracing for the storm’s arrival, and the region must remain vigilant against the compounded risks of flooding and disease following such natural disasters. These events notch up the ongoing discussions about climate change and its effects on vulnerable coastal communities.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
