The Southwestern Indian Ocean has experienced severe destruction due to Cyclone Chido and Cyclone Dikeledi, resulting in significant casualties and infrastructure damage. Approximately 172 people have died, and countless others are displaced across Madagascar, Mozambique, and Mayotte. Ongoing efforts by the Red Cross and other organizations focus on emergency relief, preparedness, and resilience-building amid an above-average cyclone season.
The Southwestern Indian Ocean has faced an alarming rise in tropical cyclone activity, notably Cyclone Chido, which made landfall on December 11, 2024. This cyclone intensified to Category 4, with wind speeds of 220 km/h and a low pressure of 929 hPa, resulting in significant casualties and injuries across affected regions. As of December 30, 2024, the cyclone had caused at least 172 fatalities, impacting primarily Mozambique, Mayotte, and Malawi while displacing over 135,800 individuals in Madagascar.
Cyclone Chido first struck Madagascar, traversing the Diana Region and causing widespread infrastructure damage. In the aftermath, heavy rainfall triggered additional flooding, exacerbating the plight of the over 135,800 residents impacted. The Malagasy Red Cross Society is actively aiding in evacuation efforts and issuing warnings to at-risk communities. The devastation extended to the Comoros, resulting in a government-declared week of mourning for the approximately 64,167 individuals affected.
In Mayotte, Cyclone Chido left about 230,000 residents severely impacted, with nearly 70% of the population facing challenges due to destroyed homes and damaged essential services. Currently, around 100,000 individuals are temporarily housed in inadequate conditions, lacking access to sufficient water and food. Mozambique has reported that approximately 90,640 households were affected, with significant destruction of homes and shelters in the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa.
Following Cyclone Chido, Cyclone Dikeledi hit Madagascar on January 11, 2025, causing damage to over 1,000 homes and disruption for 8,000 schoolchildren. Dikeledi subsequently struck Mozambique, intensifying the struggles for already impacted communities. Initial assessments indicated that 56,729 households had been affected, prompting Nampula authorities to open evacuation centers in anticipation of the storm.
In late February 2025, two additional cyclones, Garance and Honde, developed in the region, prompting intensified rain and further destruction across Madagascar. Flooding issues persist, particularly in Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique, with thousands displaced and severe damage reported. Ongoing rains threaten to exacerbate the flooding situation as more adverse weather is expected over upcoming weeks.
This Emergency Appeal is essential for supporting the IFRC network in delivering humanitarian relief and strengthening the resilience of the affected communities throughout the cyclone season and beyond.
Tropical Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi have highlighted the devastating impact of severe weather in the Southwestern Indian Ocean, resulting in significant loss of life, injuries, and widespread destruction. The prompt response from humanitarian organizations is vital in addressing the immediate needs of affected populations. Preparedness and resilience-building efforts are crucial moving forward, particularly in anticipation of ongoing rainfall and the likelihood of further cyclone activity in the upcoming weeks.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
