Cyclone Chido Strikes Mayotte with Unprecedented Force
On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte, delivering devastating winds of up to 225 km/h and causing widespread destruction. Initially forming in the Indian Ocean on December 5, the storm intensified rapidly, becoming the most powerful cyclone to hit Mayotte in over 90 years. Significant damage was reported in major areas, including the capital Mamoudzou. Chido continued west, impacting Mozambique on December 15.
A destructive cyclone, identified as Cyclone Chido, struck the islands of Mayotte on December 14, 2024, resulting in significant devastation. The cyclone’s hurricane-force winds caused widespread destruction, including downed electric poles, uprooted trees, and torn roofs from homes throughout the French territory, as reported by various news outlets.
Cyclone Chido originated on December 5, 2024, in the southeastern Indian Ocean. It quickly escalated in intensity, impacting Agaléga, a group of Mauritian islands on December 11. The cyclone reached its peak on December 12, boasting sustained winds of approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour, categorizing it as a powerful Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Cyclone Chido advanced westward under conditions conducive to storm maintenance, characterized by elevated sea surface temperatures reaching 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) and minimal vertical wind shear. After traversing just north of Madagascar on December 13, the cyclone made landfall in northern Mayotte on the morning of December 14, with sustained winds recorded at 225 kilometers (140 miles) per hour.
The cyclone is noted as the most powerful storm to affect Mayotte in over nine decades, as confirmed by Météo-France. A preliminary assessment conducted by the European Union utilizing satellite imagery revealed extensive damage across the eastern and northern regions of Mayotte, notably in the capital city of Mamoudzou on Grande Terre and at the airport situated on Pamandzi (Petite Terre).
Following its catastrophic impact on Mayotte, Cyclone Chido continued its trajectory westward, making landfall in Mozambique on December 15. During its three landfall occurrences, the cyclone consistently produced winds comparable to those of a Category 4 tropical cyclone.
Cyclone Chido developed in the southeastern Indian Ocean and exhibited rapid intensification, posing significant threats to island territories including Mayotte and Mauritius. The cyclone formed under optimal atmospheric and oceanic conditions that favored its growth, leading to unprecedented wind speeds and a high degree of destruction. Major storms such as Chido serve as reminders of the vulnerabilities faced by island communities, particularly in the context of climate change, which is contributing to an increased frequency and severity of tropical cyclones.
In summary, Cyclone Chido demonstrated extraordinary strength and durability, resulting in catastrophic effects on Mayotte and subsequent impacts on Mozambique. The storm’s progression from formation to landfall exemplifies the capabilities of tropical cyclones to generate extreme weather conditions, necessitating ongoing monitoring and improved preparedness in the face of climate variability. The destruction caused highlights the urgent need for infrastructure resilience in vulnerable regions.
Original Source: www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov
