Intense Tropical Cyclone Chido has devastated southeast Africa, particularly Mayotte, Mozambique, and Comoros. Thousands are feared dead, with over a thousand injured in Mayotte and at least 34 confirmed deaths in Mozambique. A curfew is in effect, and aid is being delivered amid emerging health threats like cholera. The cyclone’s severity has raised concerns regarding its connection to climate change.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc across southeast Africa, particularly impacting the French island of Mayotte and neighboring nations like Mozambique. Thousands are feared dead, with local authorities in Mayotte estimating fatalities may reach the hundreds or thousands. Current reports confirm at least 22 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries, although many areas remain inaccessible and some remains may have been buried without being counted.
In response to the crisis, a curfew has been implemented in Mayotte, and daily aid flights are supplying over 50 tons of food, water, and medical supplies. The organization Médecins du Monde warns of potential cholera outbreaks if water access is not ensured. In Mozambique, at least 34 casualties have been reported, and a national mourning period has been declared in the Comoros archipelago as authorities brace for increasing death tolls.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that Cyclone Chido has affected at least 174,000 individuals in Mozambique, with additional impacts in Malawi and Comoros. The French weather service has classified Chido as the most powerful cyclone to hit Mayotte in over 90 years. Meteorologist Alex Baker attributes the extensive damage to low-income communities and a general lack of resilience in the region.
While Mauritius has reported no fatalities, significant structural damage has occurred throughout the island. The influence of climate change on the cyclone’s formation is still under review. Meteorologist Helen Hooker notes higher Indian Ocean temperatures have contributed to Chido’s intensity, making it a Category 4 storm with winds exceeding 140 mph. Liz Stephens underscores that increasing cyclone intensity aligns with scientific predictions regarding climate change effects on small islands.
Cyclone Chido has caused unprecedented devastation in southeast Africa, resulting in a significant humanitarian crisis. Thousands are feared dead, with health risks like cholera emerging amid damaged infrastructure. The cyclone’s impact highlights the vulnerability of low-income communities and raises questions about climate change’s role in extreme weather events. Ongoing aid efforts are crucial to address immediate needs and prevent further suffering in the affected regions.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
