Cyclone Chido has devastated Mayotte with winds exceeding 220 km/h, causing extensive damage. The region is under red alert as rescue operations commence. The cyclone is expected to impact Mozambique, affecting millions, while inland nations prepare for potential flooding and health crises due to the storm’s aftermath.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has caused severe devastation across Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, as it continues its trajectory toward eastern Africa. The cyclone, which produced wind speeds surpassing 220 kilometers per hour, has led to extensive damage, including the destruction of roofs and homes. Local authorities reported no immediate casualties, but the regional Prefect, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, expressed deep concern for the island’s residents, stating that many have lost everything due to the cyclone.
Currently, Mayotte is under a red alert, with the population urged to seek shelter. Only emergency services have been permitted to operate following the storm. The French Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, has noted the significant impact of Chido, indicating that the region’s emergency services are fully mobilized. Thousands are without power, and numerous structures, including tin huts, have been wrecked, while efforts to address the damage continue.
In parallel, nearby Comoros is experiencing similar conditions, prompting authorities to issue top alerts. A group of fishermen who ventured out to sea is currently missing, raising concerns for their safety. The government has suspended shipping activities, closed the main airport, and canceled school sessions to ensure public safety in anticipation of the cyclone.
Cyclone Chido is predicted to advance toward Mozambique, with forecasters warning that up to 2.5 million individuals in northern provinces could be impacted. Countries further inland, such as Malawi and Zimbabwe, are also preparing for possible flooding and evacuations. The cyclone season from December to March routinely threatens this region, which has endured tragedies from previous cyclones, including Idai and Freddy, causing significant loss of life and property.
Climate change studies indicate that the severity of these cyclones is intensifying, disproportionately affecting less affluent nations in southern Africa, which contribute minimally to global climate change. This escalation exacerbates existing humanitarian crises and poses threats of waterborne diseases such as cholera, further endangering vulnerable populations.
Cyclone Chido’s impact on Mayotte and surrounding regions highlights the escalating severity of cyclones due to climate change, particularly during the cyclone season from December to March. The frequency and intensity of these storms have increased over recent years, leading to devastating consequences for impoverished nations. Countries like Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe face the risk of flooding and humanitarian crises following such natural disasters, raising concerns about public health due to potential outbreaks of diseases facilitated by stagnant water.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted significant damage upon Mayotte and is set to impact additional regions in eastern Africa, including Mozambique. The local population is experiencing crisis conditions, with emergency services responding to the destruction. The ongoing cyclone season poses continual threats to southern Africa, where climate change is exacerbating the damage from such natural disasters, leading to extensive humanitarian crises. Preparations for potential flooding and evacuations are underway as the region braces for the storm’s aftermath.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
