Devastation of Cyclone Chido: Impact from Mauritius to Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Chido has caused severe destruction from Mauritius to Mozambique, particularly affecting Mayotte with a death toll of 22 and injuries exceeding 1,400. The storm, described as the worst in nearly a century, has led to a national day of mourning in France and ongoing recovery efforts. Mozambique reports at least 34 fatalities and extensive housing damage, while calls for political protests have been postponed due to the cyclone’s impact.

Tropical Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc across the southwestern Indian Ocean, specifically impacting areas from Mauritius to Mozambique. Official reports indicate that Mayotte has suffered the most, with a grim death toll of 22 and 1,400 reported injuries as of Tuesday morning. Local authorities warn that the fatality count could increase significantly, with many residents still unaccounted for following this catastrophic weather event, regarded as the worst to strike the region in nearly a century.

In response to the devastation, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to visit Mayotte and declared a national day of mourning. He also enforced a curfew from 10 PM to 4 AM local time. France’s interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, confirmed that Mayotte is “totally devastated,” as millions of euros’ worth of aid efforts are mobilized, including the deployment of soldiers and firefighters to assist recovery.

Chido first developed in the Indian Ocean, striking Agalega, a northern dependency of Mauritius, before causing extensive damage in Mayotte and Mozambique. Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam noted that Chido made landfall with winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour, significantly impacting infrastructure on Agalega, including 95% of buildings.

In Mayotte, a significant portion of its 320,000 inhabitants reside in shantytowns, making them particularly vulnerable to the storm’s high winds. The cyclone subsequently intensified, leading to substantial rainfall in Mozambique, which has reported at least 34 fatalities along with severe damage to housing.

As Chido weakens and moves inland, it is expected to dissipate near Zimbabwe. In Mozambique, the cyclone has interrupted ongoing protests relating to controversial election results, causing opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane to reschedule demonstrations, pending validation of the election outcomes by the Constitutional Council.

Tropical Cyclone Chido serves as a significant natural disaster in the southwestern region of the Indian Ocean, affecting several territories including Mayotte and Mozambique. Mayotte, a French overseas territory, is notably impoverished and relies heavily on support from the French government. The cyclone, which formed in the Indian Ocean, made landfall in 2023, marking it as one of the most severe storms to impact the area in nearly a century, leading to both tragic loss of life and widespread destruction.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted devastating damage across the southwestern Indian Ocean, with Mayotte experiencing the highest toll in terms of casualties and injuries. The response from French authorities illustrates the severity of the situation, highlighting the need for extensive recovery efforts. As the affected regions begin to assess the full impact of Chido, it becomes evident that the humanitarian implications are profound, requiring significant international aid and support.

Original Source: www.bnnbloomberg.ca