Cyclone Chido has resulted in 94 fatalities and significant injuries in Mozambique, affecting over 622,000 individuals. The storm, which hit on December 15 with winds of 260 km/h, also caused substantial damage to educational and healthcare facilities. Authorities have mobilized support for recovery efforts, while the cyclone’s impact underscores the ongoing challenges of climate change and disaster preparedness.
Cyclone Chido has tragically claimed 94 lives in Mozambique since it made landfall last week, according to local authorities. The National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) reported that 768 individuals sustained injuries, with over 622,000 people affected by the cyclone. The storm struck on December 15, unleashing winds reaching 260 km/h (160 mph) and garnering 250 mm of rainfall within its initial 24 hours. Previously, Chido had devastated the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte before progressing to Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
In Mozambique, Chido’s path struck northern provinces, including Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Nampula, areas that frequently experience cyclone activity. The cyclone severely impacted educational and health sectors, affecting 109,793 students and damaging more than 52 sanitary units, jeopardizing access to essential health services, particularly in areas already limited by healthcare availability.
Daniel Chapo, leader of Mozambique’s ruling party, stated that the government is mobilizing support at “all levels” to respond effectively to the catastrophe. During a recent visit to Cabo Delgado, Chapo emphasized the shared efforts between the government and INGD to assist those affected in the severely impacted provinces of Mecúfi, Nampula, Memba, and Niassa to rebuild their lives.
The cyclone became the most catastrophic storm to strike Mayotte in over 90 years, resulting in 35 confirmed deaths according to the interior ministry’s latest updates. Local authorities caution that the death toll may escalate as further damage assessments proceed, potentially reaching several hundred or even thousands. To aid the local population, more than 1,300 officers were deployed, and residents are receiving daily shipments of essential supplies.
Currently, inhabitants of Mayotte face challenges securing basic necessities, although running water has started to gradually return. The interior ministry has recommended boiling water for three minutes before consumption and reported the distribution of food and water across the territory.
The INGD noted that the cyclone underscores the vulnerability of social infrastructures amid climate change, advocating for resilient planning to mitigate future disasters. The complexities of attributing specific climate change effects to individual tropical cyclones remain challenging; however, rising global temperatures have demonstrably influenced the behavior and intensity of such storms. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has asserted a “high confidence” that human actions have increased precipitation linked to tropical cyclones, alongside the “medium confidence” that human activity has raised the likelihood of more intense storms.
Cyclones are severe weather phenomena distinguished by high wind speeds and substantial rainfall, often leading to significant destruction and flooding. Cyclone Chido’s recent path across the Indian Ocean brought unprecedented devastation, particularly in Madagascar and Mozambique, regions susceptible to such natural disasters due to their geographic and climatic conditions. The increasing frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones have drawn attention to the impact of climate change, as evidenced by the findings of the IPCC, highlighting the critical need for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructural planning in vulnerable communities.
The devastation caused by Cyclone Chido emphasizes the urgent need for robust disaster response measures and infrastructural resilience, particularly in regions such as Mozambique, which are frequently affected by extreme weather events. The loss of life, significant injuries, and detrimental effects on essential services further underline the intersection of natural disasters and climate change. Enhanced efforts to mitigate future impacts and support affected populations are of paramount importance.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
