Tropical Cyclone Chido has severely impacted the Southwest Indian Ocean, causing at least 142 deaths and over 3,300 injuries. Regions like Madagascar, Mozambique, Mayotte, and Malawi are grappling with extensive damage to infrastructure and livelihoods. Humanitarian efforts are underway to provide relief and support recovery, emphasizing the need for improved preparedness for future cyclones.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has emerged as the first major cyclone of the 2023 season in the Southwest Indian Ocean, inflicting significant destruction across multiple regions. Having reached Category 4 status, Chido recorded sustained winds of 220 km/h and gusts up to 250 km/h. As of December 22, reports indicate at least 142 confirmed fatalities: 94 in Mozambique, 35 in Mayotte, and 13 in Malawi. Furthermore, over 3,300 individuals have sustained injuries.
Madagascar was the first nation to feel the impact of Cyclone Chido, particularly in the Diana Region, where an estimated 135,838 individuals were affected. The cyclone caused extensive damage to infrastructure, displacing numerous people while heavy rainfall led to flooding and crop devastation. The Malagasy authorities, with support from the Red Cross, issued urgent warnings and took necessary evacuation measures for at-risk populations.
In the Comoros, a weeklong mourning period was declared following the cyclone’s passage on December 14, which affected 64,167 individuals across Anjouan and Moheli islands. The cyclone devastated homes and agricultural land, with an estimated 45 percent of crops impacted.
Mayotte was severely affected, with about 70 percent of its population—estimated at 230,000 people—impacted. Approximately 35,000 houses were lost, leading to disrupted services and forced relocations to overcrowded accommodation centers lacking proper water, food, and hygienic conditions.
Mozambique reported that approximately 622,000 individuals were affected, with the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Tete, Nampula, and Niassa suffering significant damage to shelters and essential services. Over 130,000 structures have been rendered uninhabitable, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and threatening livelihoods in the region.
Across the border, Malawi experienced the cyclone’s remnants, resulting in nearly 45,000 people being stranded, further emphasizing the urgent need for ongoing disaster management and humanitarian assistance. Ongoing assessments are critical to determine the full humanitarian impact.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies have mobilized to provide crucial support, including search and rescue operations, first aid services, and family reunification efforts. These efforts highlight the pressing need for preparedness and resilience as tropical storms grow more intense. An Emergency Appeal has been established to secure necessary resources for humanitarian assistance and enhance the readiness and resilience of at-risk communities during this cyclone season.
The Southwest Indian Ocean region is witnessing an unusually active cyclone season, with Tropical Cyclone Chido marking a severe onset of destructive weather patterns. Forecasts predicting elevated cyclone activity have materialized, rendering countries like Madagascar, Mozambique, and Mayotte vulnerable to extreme weather events. Cyclone Chido, intensifying to Category 4 status, has exemplified the devastating South Indian Ocean tropical cyclones can produce, highlighting the need for responsive emergency management and community resilience measures.
The devastation wrought by Tropical Cyclone Chido serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by communities in the Southwest Indian Ocean. With confirmed fatalities and extensive damage across several countries, immediate humanitarian efforts are paramount to alleviate suffering and rebuild lives. The ongoing response underscores the necessity for enhanced preparedness and resilience in tackling increasingly fierce tropical storms in the future, ensuring communities are better equipped for forthcoming adverse weather situations.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
