Tropical Cyclone Chido Strikes Mozambique: Impacts and Ongoing Response Efforts

Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique on December 15, 2024, as a Category 4 cyclone, bringing with it strong winds and heavy rainfall. The cyclone has affected over 1.7 million people in Mozambique and is expected to impact southern Malawi before dissipating near Zimbabwe. Humanitarian response efforts are underway to assess and address the damage caused by the cyclone.

On December 15, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique, bringing with it powerful winds and heavy rainfall. As a category 4 cyclone when it struck approximately 35-40 kilometers south of Pemba in Cabo Delgado Province, Chido produced winds reaching 260 kilometers per hour and rainfall amounts of up to 250 millimeters within a 24-hour period. The cyclone is anticipated to move towards southern Malawi, affecting local populations with an expected 100 millimeters of additional rainfall and strong wind gusts up to 100 kilometers per hour before dissipating near Zimbabwe on December 17.

The cyclone has already posed significant threats to communities, impacting over 1.7 million people in Mozambique and 440,000 in Malawi. Areas such as Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces are experiencing hazardous conditions with severe risks of coastal inundation and infrastructure damage. Initial reports from Nampula indicate damages to residences, though these figures await official verification. Power outages and disrupted communications have also occurred in Pemba, further complicating the situation.

Chido’s effects are projected to extend beyond Mozambique, with heavy rainfall anticipated in northern regions of Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and additional countries including Angola and South Africa, potentially leading to flash flooding and landslides. Notably, there have been reports of injuries and flooding in the Comoros, where infrastructural damage has also been noted. The United Nations and associated NGOs are actively supporting government efforts to assess the situation and prepare for the cyclone’s aftermath.

Tropical Cyclone Chido developed in the southeastern Indian Ocean and reached its peak intensity on December 10, 2024. Initially a Category 4 cyclone, it experienced fluctuations in intensity before its landfall in Mozambique. Cyclones in this region pose significant risks to lives, property, and infrastructure, necessitating prompt humanitarian responses and disaster preparedness initiatives. The overall weather system has implications not only for Mozambique’s coastal communities but also affects neighboring nations, leading to heightened concerns about flooding and landslides in several southern African countries due to anticipated rainfall accumulations.

Tropical Cyclone Chido’s landfall presents critical challenges for Mozambique and southern Africa, highlighting the urgent need for effective disaster preparedness and response measures. More than 1.7 million people are potentially affected, with infrastructure and homes already suffering damage. Continued monitoring and international aid will be essential in the coming days to mitigate the cyclone’s impacts and support recovery efforts in the affected regions.

Original Source: reliefweb.int