Tropical Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte: A Historic Catastrophe
Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, 2023, with winds over 200 km/h, causing severe devastation and loss of life. The cyclone was the strongest in nearly 90 years, leading to a national mourning in France and extensive emergency operations. Despite timely warnings, damage was extensive due to Mayotte’s lack of preparedness for such events. Chido then made landfall in Mozambique, prompting further heavy rainfall in surrounding areas.
On December 14, 2023, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with devastating force, producing winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and gusts surpassing 225 kilometers per hour. This cyclone marked the most powerful storm to impact Mayotte in nearly a century, as reported by Météo-France. Accompanying the fierce winds were torrential rains, amounting to 176 millimeters over just twelve hours, and perilous sea conditions presenting average wave heights of more than five meters. The cyclone’s power was so immense that it inflicted damage on Météo-France’s own monitoring structures.
In response to this catastrophe, French President Emmanuel Macron declared a national period of mourning. An extensive emergency and relief operation was swiftly activated following alarming reports of potential fatalities among the island’s population, which is largely comprised of informal housing structures vulnerable to such natural disasters. Noteworthy, despite Météo-France providing accurate warnings more than fifty hours prior to the cyclone’s landfall, significant loss of life occurred due to the island’s unfamiliarity with cyclonic activity of this magnitude.
Chido’s trajectory was atypical as it avoided Madagascar, where it might have weakened, and instead made a direct hit on Mayotte. The storm’s center engulfed the small island completely, indicating its intensity. Following its impact on Mayotte, Chido continued its path to Mozambique on December 15, subsequently weakening but still causing heavy rainfall in Mozambique and Malawi.
Upon evaluating the cyclone’s impact, Météo-France emphasized the rarity of such an occurrence, stating, “The impacts of Chido are above all due to its track and the direct hit on Mayotte.” They noted that their present knowledge does not allow for definitive conclusions regarding the influences of climate change on Chido’s strength or path.
As the designated Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for the Southwest Indian Ocean, Météo-France had previously issued a seasonal forecast on October 31, projecting a potentially active cyclone season ahead. This outlook predicted an earlier onset of cyclone activity compared to previous years, indicating that the season from 2024 to 2025 may produce nine to thirteen systems, with several expected to reach tropical cyclone intensity.
The catastrophic impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido on Mayotte underscores the vulnerability of regions not accustomed to extreme weather events. Specifically, Mayotte, located in the Indian Ocean, was unprepared for the cyclone’s significant wind speeds and intense rainfall. Météo-France, the French meteorological service, plays a critical role in forecasting these events, providing timely alerts to safeguard lives and property. The recent cyclone raises concerns about the potential effects of climate change on the frequency and intensity of such severe weather patterns in the future.
Tropical Cyclone Chido’s unprecedented strength and trajectory reveal the urgent need for enhanced preparedness in regions like Mayotte, which face uncommon storm threats. Despite early warnings from meteorological authorities, the damage sustained highlights vulnerabilities rooted in infrastructure and housing. Moving forward, comprehensive disaster management strategies and an understanding of climate dynamics will be crucial in mitigating the impacts of future cyclones in the Indian Ocean region.
Original Source: wmo.int
