Tropical Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm in 90 years, struck Mayotte on December 14, with wind speeds surpassing 200 km/h. Despite advance warnings, hundreds may have died, prompting a national day of mourning in France. The cyclone ultimately made landfall in Mozambique, leading to further rainfall in the region.
On December 14, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte, unleashing winds exceeding 200 km/h and gusts over 225 km/h, marking it as the most powerful storm to hit the island in over 90 years, according to Météo-France. The cyclone brought with it torrential rains, recording 176 mm within a span of 12 hours, alongside perilous seas with wave heights averaging above 5 meters. The cyclone’s ferocity was so great that it incapacitated some of Météo-France’s observational equipment.
In response to the disaster, French President Emmanuel Macron proclaimed a national day of mourning. An expansive emergency response was activated, especially as initial assessments indicated that hundreds of lives may have been lost on the island, which is typically not subject to such formidable tropical cyclones and has numerous informal housing arrangements. Despite receiving precise and prompt warnings more than 50 hours prior, the severe loss of life still occurred.
Warnings began with an amber alert issued at 7 am on December 13, escalating to a red alert in the evening, followed by a rare violet alert on the morning of December 14. Chido’s trajectory was unusual as it navigated east of Madagascar, a larger island that could have diminished the cyclone’s strength. Ultimately, it made an intense direct hit on Mayotte, engulfing the island entirely. Subsequently, Chido landfall over Mozambique occurred on December 15 before it weakened, also causing heavy rains in both Mozambique and Malawi.
Météo-France noted uncertainty regarding climate change’s influence on the cyclone’s intensity or trajectory. “The impacts of Chido are above all due to its track and the direct hit on Mayotte,” Météo-France stated. This event is uncommon, having not been witnessed for nearly a century, leading to inquiries regarding the future implications for the region. The forecast for the 2024-2025 cyclone season anticipates near to above-normal activity with nine to thirteen systems predicted, four to seven of which may escalate to tropical cyclone status.
Tropical cyclones represent significant natural hazards in many regions, particularly in oceanic areas. Mayotte, situated in the Indian Ocean, is not accustomed to intense storms, with severe weather events remaining infrequent over the last few decades. The region’s meteorological trends suggest an increased scrutiny on the factors influencing cyclone activity, including potential effects of climate change. In addition, forecasting bodies such as Météo-France play crucial roles in providing early warnings to mitigate the impacts of such disasters.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido’s unprecedented impact on Mayotte has underscored the vulnerabilities of regions unaccustomed to severe storm activity. The cyclone demonstrated the importance of accurate meteorological forecasting and the timely dissemination of warnings, though tragically, these measures fell short in saving lives. As assessments continue regarding the implications of climate change on tropical cyclone occurrences, the need for enhanced preparedness and structural resilience becomes increasingly critical for communities in prone areas.
Original Source: wmo.int
