Cyclone Chido has left a trail of destruction across Mozambique and the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, claiming at least 129 lives and affecting hundreds of thousands more. With wind speeds reaching 260 km/h (160 mph) and rainfall of 250 mm in just 24 hours, the cyclone underscored the vulnerability of communities to extreme weather events, amplified by climate change.
Mozambique’s Losses and Challenges
In Mozambique, Cyclone Chido has claimed 94 lives, injured 768 people, and disrupted the lives of over 622,000 residents. The storm made landfall on December 15, striking northern provinces frequently battered by cyclones. After initially hitting Cabo Delgado, Chido advanced inland to the provinces of Niassa and Nampula, causing widespread devastation.
Key infrastructure has been severely affected. More than 109,793 students were impacted as schools were destroyed or rendered unusable. The health sector also suffered, with 52 sanitary units damaged, exacerbating access challenges in already underserved areas.
Daniel Chapo, a leader of Mozambique’s ruling party, assured citizens during a visit to Cabo Delgado that the government is mobilizing resources to aid recovery. Efforts include coordination with the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) to support affected provinces like Mecúfi, Memba, and Niassa.
Mayotte’s Unprecedented Disaster
In Mayotte, Cyclone Chido was the most destructive storm to hit the archipelago in 90 years, leaving 35 confirmed dead and countless others struggling to recover. The prefect of Mayotte warned the death toll could rise significantly once the full extent of the damage is assessed.
The storm devastated local infrastructure, leaving residents without basic necessities like clean water. The government has deployed over 1,300 officers and established an air bridge between Mayotte, Reunion, and mainland France to deliver critical supplies. Daily deliveries include 80 tonnes of food and 50 tonnes of water. Residents have been advised to boil water before consumption as utilities gradually return.
Cyclones and Climate Change
Tropical cyclones like Chido are characterized by extreme wind speeds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges that often lead to catastrophic flooding. While attributing individual cyclones to climate change is complex, scientific evidence indicates that global warming intensifies such storms.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states with “high confidence” that human activities have increased precipitation associated with tropical cyclones and with “medium confidence” that they are contributing to stronger storms. Rising sea surface temperatures provide more energy for cyclones, increasing their intensity and the likelihood of extreme rainfall.
The devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido highlights the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and adaptive planning in vulnerable regions. Mozambique’s INGD emphasized the importance of incorporating climate resilience into social infrastructure to mitigate future impacts.
The Path to Recovery
The road to recovery for both Mozambique and Mayotte will be long and arduous. In Mozambique, rebuilding schools and health facilities is a priority to restore education and healthcare access. Meanwhile, Mayotte requires extensive international support to repair its infrastructure and ensure the safety of its residents.
As Cyclone Chido fades, it leaves a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change. The storm’s unprecedented impact underscores the urgency of addressing global warming through collective action and ensuring vulnerable communities are better equipped to withstand future disasters.
Investments in early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and international cooperation are essential to mitigating the human and economic toll of such natural disasters. Without decisive action, communities worldwide will continue to face the devastating consequences of an increasingly volatile climate.
