Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has caused fatalities and widespread displacement in Madagascar and Mayotte, further devastating regions already impacted by Cyclone Chido. The violent storms resulted in severe flooding and damage to infrastructure, prompting emergency response efforts to aid affected populations.
Over the weekend, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi resulted in significant devastation across Madagascar, claiming the lives of at least three individuals due to severe rainfall and flooding. The cyclone also impacted the French territory of Mayotte, along with the Comoros and Mozambique. This storm followed closely on the heels of Cyclone Chido, which had already ravaged Mayotte in the previous weeks. Dikeledi, which emerged in the Southern Indian Ocean earlier this month, intensified upon reaching Madagascar’s northern coast on January 11, leading to mass evacuations and infrastructure damage in affected areas.
According to the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO Flash) report, over 15,000 people have been displaced in northern Madagascar, while an alarming 20,000 have evacuated their homes in Mayotte. Although Dikeledi had weakened slightly prior to reaching Mayotte, the archipelago experienced substantial winds, flash floods, and landslides on January 12, particularly affecting the village of Mbouini, which had narrowly escaped the earlier damage from Cyclone Chido. A local resident expressed the community’s pervasive trauma from enduring two powerful cyclones in rapid succession.
Manuel Valls, the French Minister for Overseas Territories, remarked on the severe impact of the storm on Mayotte, emphasizing the territory’s vulnerability. The ECHO Flash report indicates that further intensification of Cyclone Dikeledi is anticipated as it progresses southward through the Mozambique Channel from January 14 to 15, affecting Madagascar, Mayotte, Comoros, and Mozambique with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential storm surges.
Previously, Cyclone Chido caused the death of at least 36 residents in Mayotte and over 120 individuals in Mozambique, underscoring the dire circumstances in many local communities where structures are often inadequate to withstand such natural disasters. Response efforts are currently underway in Madagascar as outlined by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which has begun delivering emergency supplies to aid those affected by these tumultuous events.
The article details the impact of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi, which hit northeastern Madagascar and continued to affect the surrounding regions, particularly Mayotte and Mozambique. It highlights the sequence of cyclonic activity in the area, beginning with the more destructive Cyclone Chido, which had already devastated Mayotte prior to Dikeledi’s arrival. The ongoing humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by infrastructure vulnerabilities, is presented, alongside the responses being implemented to assist those impacted by these storms.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi brought severe devastation to families and communities in northern Madagascar and Mayotte, compounding the hardships faced after Cyclone Chido. The report indicates widespread displacement and damage, with local officials noting the fragile state of Mayotte’s infrastructure. As the region braces for further meteorological challenges, humanitarian efforts have commenced to support those affected, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and assistance.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
