Devastation in Mayotte: The Impact of Cyclone Chido
On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido made landfall on Mayotte, resulting in catastrophic damage and winds reaching up to 225 kilometers (140 miles) per hour. Initial formation on December 5, rapid intensification led to significant impacts, marking it as the strongest cyclone to hit the territory in over 90 years. After affecting Mayotte, it continued west to Mozambique, maintaining Category 4 winds throughout its path.
On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck the islands of Mayotte with devastating effects, causing extensive damage across the territory. This cyclone, which initially formed in the southeastern Indian Ocean on December 5, reached hurricane-force winds that resulted in downed electric poles, uprooted trees, and roofs being torn from homes. Reports indicate that Cyclone Chido was among the most intense storms to affect Mayotte in more than nine decades.
Chido intensified rapidly after forming and made an initial landfall on the Mauritian islands of Agaléga on December 11. By the following day, it had peaked in intensity, registering sustained winds of approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour, categorizing it as a strong Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center reported that the cyclone maintained an appropriate environment for storm sustenance, characterized by warm sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear.
Following its closest approach north of Madagascar, Cyclone Chido made landfall in northern Mayotte, sustaining winds of 225 kilometers (140 miles) per hour. Satellite imagery captured by the VIIRS on the NOAA-20 satellite depicted the cyclone three hours post-landfall. Preliminary assessments by the European Union reveal widespread destruction, particularly in eastern and northern Mayotte regions, including the capital, Mamoudzou, and the airport on Petite Terre.
Subsequently, Cyclone Chido progressed westward and struck Mozambique on December 15, maintaining winds comparable to a Category 4 tropical cyclone during all landfalls. The storm’s impact underscores the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events in the region, posing significant risks to vulnerable communities.
Cyclone Chido exemplifies the growing threat of severe weather events exacerbated by climate change, with regions like Mayotte and the surrounding Indian Ocean archipelagos being particularly susceptible to storm activity. Understanding the dynamics of cyclones and their formation is crucial, especially as such occurrences appear increasingly frequent in a warming climate. Historical records indicate that Chido is the most powerful cyclone to affect Mayotte in over 90 years, highlighting the potential for catastrophic impacts on both infrastructure and populations in coastal areas.
In conclusion, Cyclone Chido’s landfall in Mayotte and subsequent impact on Mozambique serve as a stark reminder of the destructive power of tropical cyclones. The extensive damage reported, especially in populated areas like Mamoudzou, emphasizes the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures in vulnerable locales. As climate patterns evolve, communities must be equipped to face the increasing frequency and severity of such storms.
Original Source: www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov
