Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique on December 15, 2023, with category 4 intensity, causing severe winds and heavy rainfall. The cyclone is expected to affect up to 2.5 million people, particularly in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces. With damages anticipated to be catastrophic, immediate humanitarian response efforts are being mobilized to address the needs of the affected populations.
Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in the early hours of December 15, 2023, in southern Cabo Delgado Province, near the border with Nampula Province, close to Pemba City, classified as a very intense category 4 storm. It generated winds of 200 km/h, with gusts reaching 250 km/h, leading to widespread destruction. Heavy rains began around 3 am local time, with predictions suggesting up to 250 mm of rainfall could occur within 24 hours. Areas such as Mecu, Metuge, Ancuabe, and Pemba City are expected to experience severe impacts, with additional risks of flooding and landslides due to the cyclone’s trajectory.
Mozambique is prone to tropical cyclones due to its geographical location along the Indian Ocean coast. Cyclone Chido’s intensity as a category 4 storm raised alarms for significant destruction, particularly in the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula. Historical patterns indicate that such storms not only inflict immediate wind damage but also cause prolonged flooding, leading to various humanitarian challenges. Against this backdrop, the current situation following Cyclone Chido requires urgent response measures and assessments to mitigate the storm’s enduring impact on affected populations, estimated to be as high as 2.5 million.
In conclusion, Cyclone Chido has posed immediate and serious threats to lives and infrastructure in Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces. As affected areas brace for extensive damage from both wind and rainfall, it is paramount for humanitarian efforts to mobilize quickly to address the needs of an estimated 2.5 million individuals. Continuous updates and assessments will be crucial for effective response strategies in combating this natural disaster.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
