Tropical Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte, Sparking National Mourning

Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14th with unprecedented intensity, recording wind speeds over 200 km/h and causing significant rainfall and destruction. The cyclone led to national mourning in France, as early reports estimated substantial loss of life due to the storm’s unexpected strength. Despite timely warnings, the impact reflects the vulnerability of island communities and raises questions about climate change’s role in such extreme weather events.

On December 14th, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck the island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, boasting wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h and gusts surpassing 225 km/h, marking it as the strongest storm to affect the region in nearly a century. Accompanying the cyclone were torrential rains totaling 176mm within a mere 12 hours and perilous sea conditions with average waves exceeding 5 meters in height. The cyclone’s intensity was so severe that it damaged some of Météo-France’s observational infrastructure.

In response to this unprecedented disaster, French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a national mourning period. Emergency services were promptly deployed amid initial reports suggesting that the loss of life may reach into the hundreds on this small island, which is not accustomed to such powerful storms and contains numerous informal housing structures. Even with timely warnings issued by Météo-France over 50 hours prior—a progression from an amber alert to a rarely invoked violet alert—the damages were catastrophic.

Unusually, Chido skirted the larger island of Madagascar, which could have mitigated its strength, ultimately making landfall as a fierce tropical cyclone directly over Mayotte. The cyclone later moved on to Mozambique on December 15th, resulting in further heavy rainfall in both Mozambique and Malawi. Météo-France remarked, “The impacts of Chido are above all due to its track and the direct hit on Mayotte. This is an extremely rare event not seen for 90 years.”

Furthermore, Météo-France commented on the ambiguity surrounding the influence of climate change on the cyclone’s trajectory and intensity, stating: “Our current state of knowledge doesn’t allow us to draw any conclusions about the role of climate change on the track of the cyclone and on its intensity.”

Météo-France La Réunion serves as the WMO’s Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for tropical cyclones in the Southwest Indian Ocean. Their seasonal forecast issued on October 31st predicted an early commencement of the 2024-2025 cyclone season, which is anticipated to feature near to above-normal activity, with forecasts indicating 9 to 13 systems, of which 4 to 7 could escalate to tropical cyclone status.

The catastrophic impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido highlights the vulnerability of island regions like Mayotte, which are ill-equipped to handle severe tropical weather. Following years of relative calm regarding cyclones, this unexpected storm underscores the importance of robust disaster preparedness and timely meteorological predictions. The cyclone’s trajectory was notably unusual, as it bypassed Madagascar—a common route that potentially would have decreased its intensity. The nuances of climate change’s effect on cyclones remain a topic of complex debate, further emphasizing the need for continued research into changing weather patterns. National and regional meteorological departments, such as Météo-France, play a crucial role in providing timely alerts and forecasts to safeguard populations against such natural disasters.

In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Chido’s devastating landfall on Mayotte serves as a stark reminder of the potential for extreme weather events in regions previously thought to be safe from such phenomena. Despite warnings issued well in advance, the impact was catastrophic, emphasizing both the increasing unpredictability of weather systems and the critical need for enhanced preparedness against future cyclonic threats. As the world grapples with climate change, continued vigilance and investment in meteorological research become paramount to mitigate similar disasters in the future.

Original Source: wmo.int