Tropical Cyclone Chido has severely impacted Mozambique, Malawi, and the Comoros, affecting over 274,000 people and causing numerous fatalities and injuries. The cyclone made landfall in Mozambique, leading to significant destruction of homes and infrastructure. Humanitarian teams are deployed to assist, but response efforts are hampered by communication issues and infrastructure damage. Affected regions must remain vigilant due to potential flash floods and landslides following the cyclone’s passage.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has caused significant devastation across southern Africa, notably affecting Mozambique, Malawi, and the Comoros. Preliminary reports indicate that the cyclone impacted over 174,000 individuals in Mozambique, alongside 34,000 in Malawi and 64,000 in the Comoros, leading to the destruction and damage of thousands of homes. Chido, which made landfall on December 15 with winds of approximately 260 km/h, has since weakened and is currently classified as a depression as it moves inland through Mozambique and towards Zimbabwe.
The cyclone resulted in at least 34 fatalities and left 319 individuals injured in Mozambique alone. More than 35,000 houses were either damaged or destroyed, with additional impacts on schools and health facilities as of mid-December. Humanitarian teams are actively assessing the damage and providing needed assistance, but challenges in communication and infrastructure significantly hinder these efforts. In Malawi, fatalities have also been reported alongside substantial damage in 16 districts. In the Comoros, the aftermath includes substantial impacts to both housing and agriculture, particularly in Anjouan, prompting a national mourning period.
In Mayotte, the cyclone’s impact has been unprecedented, leading to 21 deaths and displacing over 100,000 people following damages to buildings and infrastructure, including primary healthcare facilities. The ongoing situation deserves careful monitoring as forecasted rainfall may lead to further flooding and landslides across the affected regions.
Authorities across the impacted countries have expressed deep concern for the humanitarian situation and the need for community awareness to mitigate ongoing risks. As Chido continues to bring significant rainfall to other regions, including parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and southern Angola, vigilance for potential flooding and other weather-related hazards is recommended.
Cyclone Chido formed in the southeastern Indian Ocean and rapidly intensified, reaching Category 4 strength before weakening to a depression. This cyclone made landfall in Mozambique, leading to considerable destruction in multiple countries of southern Africa. The cyclone’s effects were particularly severe due to its high winds and extensive rainfall, which exacerbated existing vulnerabilities in the region, including infrastructure challenges and community preparedness. The ongoing assessments by humanitarian agencies are crucial for understanding the full scope of the damage and providing timely assistance.
The impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido has led to a humanitarian crisis across multiple nations in southern Africa, with Mozambique bearing the brunt of the damage. Immediate actions are being taken to assist affected communities, but challenges such as infrastructure damage and communication breakdowns impede response efforts. Continuous monitoring of the situation is necessary, given the cyclone’s ongoing influence and the prospect of severe weather in the coming days. The need for international support and community resilience has never been more critical as recovery efforts begin.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
