Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc in Mozambique, leaving a trail of destruction and at least 34 fatalities in its wake, the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management confirmed on Tuesday. Striking the nation on Sunday, the powerful storm unleashed catastrophic winds and torrential rainfall, devastating communities in its path.
The cyclone made its first landfall in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, claiming 28 lives. It later moved inland, resulting in three additional deaths in Nampula and another three in Niassa. According to the disaster management authority, Cyclone Chido injured 319 people and displaced thousands, further exacerbating the challenges faced by this vulnerable region.
Cyclone’s Ferocity: Winds and Rainfall
Chido was an exceptionally powerful storm, with winds peaking at 260 kilometers (160 miles) per hour. Over the course of just 24 hours, the cyclone dumped approximately 250 millimeters (10 inches) of rain, overwhelming rivers and causing widespread flooding. The deluge destroyed nearly 23,600 homes and 170 fishing boats, severely disrupting livelihoods in the affected areas. Authorities estimate that the cyclone has impacted around 175,000 people.
The storm’s impact was particularly severe in Cabo Delgado, an area already grappling with underdevelopment and the effects of an ongoing insurgency. The destruction of critical infrastructure and the displacement of thousands of residents are expected to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Regional Impact and Path of Destruction
Cyclone Chido formed over the Indian Ocean and initially struck the island of Mayotte, a French territory off the coast of East Africa. Mayotte suffered catastrophic losses, with unconfirmed reports suggesting the death toll could be in the hundreds.
After battering Mozambique, the storm continued its path across southern Africa, moving into Malawi on Monday. Heavy rains and strong winds added to the challenges already faced by the nation, which has been recovering from previous weather disasters. The cyclone was forecasted to dissipate near Zimbabwe by Tuesday, though Zimbabwean authorities had been on high alert for potential flooding.
Vulnerability and Humanitarian Crisis
Cyclones are not uncommon in northern Mozambique, a region prone to such weather events during the annual cyclone season. However, Chido’s impact was intensified by the region’s fragile infrastructure and pre-existing vulnerabilities. Many residents in Cabo Delgado and surrounding areas live in poorly constructed homes, making them particularly susceptible to the destructive forces of the storm.
The ongoing conflict in Cabo Delgado, which has displaced over one million people in recent years, has left communities ill-prepared for natural disasters. Relief efforts in the region have been complicated by insecurity, limiting access to affected populations and delaying the delivery of emergency aid.
Calls for Urgent Assistance
Humanitarian organizations and local authorities are scrambling to assess the full extent of the damage and provide relief to those affected. Immediate needs include shelter, food, clean water, and medical assistance. However, the scale of the destruction poses significant logistical challenges, particularly in remote areas where access has been hampered by floodwaters and damaged infrastructure.
Mozambique has increasingly found itself on the frontline of climate-related disasters, with cyclones, floods, and droughts becoming more frequent and severe. Experts emphasize the need for greater investment in climate resilience and disaster preparedness to mitigate the impacts of future events.
A Tragic Reminder of Climate Vulnerability
Cyclone Chido’s devastation is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of southern African nations to extreme weather events. As climate change continues to fuel more intense storms, communities in Mozambique and across the region face an uncertain and perilous future.
The international community is being urged to support relief efforts and to invest in long-term solutions that address the underlying factors contributing to the region’s vulnerability. For Mozambique, the path to recovery will be long and arduous, but immediate action is essential to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this latest disaster.
