Tropical Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte on 14 December 2024, is the strongest storm to hit the island in 90 years, causing at least 22 deaths, 1,500 injuries, and significant infrastructure damage. Prior to the cyclone, 40% of homes were already in precarious condition, affecting an estimated 100,000 people out of a total population of approximately 320,000, with many others possibly unaccounted for.
On 5 December 2024, Tropical Depression Chido emerged in the southeast Indian Ocean Basin, subsequently intensifying into a moderate tropical storm by 9 December, with wind speeds reaching 70 km/h. It reached its peak intensity on 12 December, classified as a Category 4 cyclone with sustained winds of 250 km/h. On the morning of 14 December, Chido made landfall in Mayotte, registering sustained winds of 225 km/h, leading to unprecedented devastation.
As of 18 December, reports indicated at least 22 fatalities and 1,500 injuries, with the potential for these figures to rise amid ongoing relief operations, as many individuals are still unaccounted for. This storm is notable for being the most powerful to strike Mayotte in over nine decades, inflicting severe damage on critical infrastructure, including hospitals, the airport, and roadways, while leading to widespread disruptions in electricity, water supply, and communication services.
Prior to the cyclone’s arrival, approximately 40% of housing on the island was already deemed hazardous, impacting about 100,000 residents, or one-third of Mayotte’s population. There are official estimates of 320,000 inhabitants, but local authorities suggest that the total may be as high as 200,000, including individuals with irregular status predominantly from the Comoros Islands.
Tropical Cyclone Chido represents a significant meteorological event, being the strongest cyclone to impact Mayotte in over 90 years. The region, comprising a population that may reach 520,000 when including unregistered individuals, faced pre-existing vulnerabilities with a substantial percentage of its housing infrastructure already in a precarious state. Climate phenomena in this area have increased the risks associated with such storms, making the disaster a critical point of concern for humanitarian and governmental responses.
In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Chido has had a catastrophic impact on Mayotte, resulting in loss of life, extensive injuries, and widespread destruction of infrastructure. The scale of the devastation is compounded by pre-existing vulnerabilities within the population. As recovery efforts continue, the situation remains dire for many residents, and the total impact of the cyclone may still rise as search and rescue operations further unfold.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
