Tropical Cyclone Chido has severely impacted Mayotte with winds over 220 km/h, causing extensive damage without immediate casualties reported. The cyclone is expected to proceed towards Mozambique, threatening millions. The increasing frequency of such storms raises concerns over climate change and public health risks in southern Africa, demanding urgent response and preventative measures.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has caused severe devastation in Mayotte, a French territory located in the Indian Ocean, as it moves toward the eastern coast of Africa. With winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour, significant structural damage occurred, including the destruction of metal roofs and power outages for thousands of residents. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of casualties. According to Mayotte Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, this cyclone is the most destructive to hit the island since 1934, prompting the lifting of the highest alert to facilitate rescue operations after the cyclone’s impact.
Currently, Mayotte remains under a red alert for the general public, urging residents to stay sheltered. The emergency response teams, including 110 rescue and firefighting personnel dispatched from France and Reunion Island, are actively involved in recovery efforts, with additional reinforcements scheduled. Reports from local outlets indicate that many structures, including tin huts and trees, have been uprooted. In nearby Comoros, there are fears for the safety of 11 fishermen who have not returned since venturing out to sea prior to the cyclone. The region has imposed restrictions on maritime activities and grounded flights in preparation for the dangers posed by Chido.
Forecasters predict that Cyclone Chido will continue on its eastern path, expected to impact Mozambique later in the weekend, affecting approximately 2.5 million residents across northern provinces such as Cabo Delgado and Nampula. Malawi and Zimbabwe are also bracing for the anticipated flooding, with recommendations for vulnerable populations to relocate to higher ground. The cyclone season stretches from December to March in the southeastern Indian Ocean, with past cyclones, such as Idai and Freddy, yielding significant humanitarian challenges for southern Africa, a region disproportionately affected by climate change yet contributing minimally to its causes.
Authorities have voiced concern regarding the public health risks associated with cyclone aftermath, highlighting the potential for waterborne diseases like cholera, malaria, and dengue fever. These health threats are exacerbated by the environmental changes that intensify cyclone activity, leading to severe implications for impoverished nations in southern Africa.
The occurrence of severe cyclones in the Indian Ocean region has significantly increased in recent years, particularly during the cyclone season from December to March. Tropical cyclones pose substantial risks to populations on the coasts of southern Africa, including countries like Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, which are often left to manage the aftermath of these disasters with limited resources. Cyclones such as Idai and Freddy in previous years resulted in widespread loss of life and considerable infrastructural damage, highlighting the vulnerability of the region to climate change effects. Furthermore, the health hazards following cyclones, particularly the rise of waterborne diseases, draw attention to the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and environmental awareness amidst growing climate concerns. The current humanitarian crisis faced by these nations emphasizes the disparities in global responsibility for climate change and the resulting environmental calamities.
Cyclone Chido’s impact on Mayotte underscores the increasing frequency and intensity of cyclones, attributed to climate change, which adversely affect vulnerable regions in southern Africa. The extensive damage experienced in Mayotte, coupled with the impending threats to Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, highlights an ongoing humanitarian crisis that underscores the essential need for enhanced disaster preparedness and international cooperation to address climate change. Thus, the situation calls for immediate attention not only for emergency response but also for long-term strategies to mitigate the effects of such environmental disasters.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
