Impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido on Mayotte: December 2024
Tropical Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, struck Mayotte on December 14, 2024, causing severe damage and resulting in at least 22 deaths and 1,500 injuries. The storm has destroyed vital infrastructure and affected a significant portion of the population living in precarious housing conditions. Ongoing rescue efforts are still uncovering information about the cyclone’s aftermath.
Tropical Cyclone Chido formed on December 5, 2024, in the southeastern Indian Ocean, subsequently intensifying into a moderate tropical storm by December 9, with wind speeds of 70 km/h. It peaked on December 12 as a Category 4 cyclone, exhibiting maximum sustained winds of 250 km/h. Early on December 14, Chido made landfall in Mayotte, delivering sustained winds of 225 km/h. As of December 18, the cyclone has resulted in at least 22 fatalities and about 1,500 injuries, with ongoing rescue efforts revealing more missing persons. This cyclone, the most severe to impact Mayotte in over nine decades, has caused widespread devastation, affecting vital infrastructure, including hospitals, roads, and the local airport, while disrupting essential services such as electricity and water supply. Before the cyclone, many houses were already in poor condition; approximately 40% of residences in Mayotte were categorized as precarious, impacting around 100,000 individuals, one-third of the local population. The estimated population of Mayotte stands at approximately 320,000, with indications of an additional 200,000 residents, primarily from Comoros, lacking formal status.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has emerged as a significant climatic event affecting Mayotte, a French overseas department located in the Indian Ocean. Having intensified unusually, this cyclone represents the most powerful storm to strike Mayotte in over 90 years, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to severe weather phenomena. The extensive damage to infrastructure and services highlights pre-existing challenges, given that earlier, a considerable portion of the housing stock was already at risk before Chido’s arrival. The cyclone’s impacts have swiftly escalated, necessitating immediate humanitarian assistance and long-term recovery plans.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has had a catastrophic impact on Mayotte, leading to numerous casualties, injuries, and extensive damage to critical infrastructure. With a substantial portion of the population already living in precarious conditions, the cyclone’s effects will likely exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, prompting urgent humanitarian responses and recovery initiatives. As rebuilding efforts commence, addressing the underlying issues of housing and infrastructure integrity will be paramount to enhancing resilience against future climatic events.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
