Tropical Cyclone Chido has caused extensive damage in southern Africa, affecting over 274,000 individuals across Mozambique, Malawi, and Comoros. The cyclone has weakened into a depression but left significant destruction, including fatalities and thousands of homes destroyed. Humanitarian assistance is being mobilized amidst ongoing assessments of the impact.
As of December 17, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido has significantly impacted the southern African region, affecting more than 174,000 individuals in Mozambique, 34,000 in Malawi, and 64,000 in the Comoros. Preliminary reports indicate widespread destruction, with thousands of homes lost or damaged. The cyclone has weakened into a depression as it re-enters Mozambique from Malawi, currently located in the Tete Province and moving towards Zimbabwe. Humanitarian teams have been deployed to deliver urgent assistance and conduct multi-sectoral assessments in the hardest-hit regions.
In Mozambique, the cyclone made landfall on December 15 in the Mecufi District of Cabo Delgado Province. With winds reaching 260 km/h and heavy rainfall of approximately 250 mm within a 24-hour period, the storm has resulted in 34 fatalities and over 300 injuries, impacting 174,158 people and damaging 35,000 houses. Furthermore, nine schools and ten health facilities were adversely affected. Authorities have warned residents to monitor updates from the national meteorological service as the system continues to weaken, anticipated to dissipate around December 17.
Malawi has also faced severe repercussions, with at least 34,741 people affected, including seven fatalities across 14 districts. In the Comoros, a week-long national mourning has been declared, reflecting the seriousness of the damage and loss of five lives linked to the cyclone’s impact. The cyclone particularly devastated Anjouan, where significant destruction occurred to housing and agriculture.
Having made landfall in Mayotte with unprecedented intensity, winds exceeded 176 km/h, resulting in 21 fatalities and the displacement of 100,000 individuals. Infrastructure was severely affected, with significant portions of the population losing access to essential services. Roads remain largely inaccessible, complicating recovery efforts further.
Meteorological authorities in Zimbabwe report that remnants of Chido will likely cause increased moisture and thunderstorms across the country. Affected communities are advised to remain vigilant against potential flooding and landslides in the coming days.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has emerged as a significant humanitarian disaster, having struck various regions in southern Africa since early December. The cyclone initially formed in the southeastern Indian Ocean before progressing westward into land, causing severe impacts across Mozambique, Malawi, and Mayotte. This event underscores the vulnerabilities of the region to tropical storms, heightening concerns about disaster preparedness, response capacity, and the resilience of communities facing climatic challenges. The ramifications of Cyclone Chido necessitate a coordinated response to assist the affected populations and mitigate further risks associated with the storm’s aftermath.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido’s devastating impact has necessitated urgent humanitarian responses across southern Africa, predominantly affecting Mozambique, Malawi, and the Comoros. The full extent of the disaster remains under assessment, with emergency teams working to provide assistance in severely impacted regions. The cyclone serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, highlighting the need for effective preparedness and response strategies moving forward.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
