Death Toll from Cyclone Chido Reaches 94 in Mozambique, Devastation Widespread

Cyclone Chido has resulted in a death toll of 94 in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi, with substantial injuries and damage to infrastructure. The cyclone impacted over 622,000 people across multiple countries, causing dire humanitarian needs and extensive destruction to homes and public facilities.

The death toll in Mozambique due to Cyclone Chido has tragically increased to 94, as reported on Sunday by the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD). The cyclone, which made landfall on December 15, exhibited wind speeds reaching 260 kilometers per hour, resulting in severe impacts including 768 injuries and affecting approximately 622,000 individuals. The destruction includes significant damage to infrastructure, with around 140,000 homes, 52 health centers, 89 public buildings, and 250 schools either destroyed or damaged.

In Malawi, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) confirmed that the cyclone’s toll has reached 13 fatalities, with an additional 30 injured and more than 35,000 people affected since it began impacting the region on December 15. Cyclone Chido initially struck the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte on December 14, before moving on to Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, where it caused extensive destruction and disruption to communities.

Cyclone Chido is a significant weather event that highlights the increasing impact of climate change on susceptible regions such as Mozambique and its neighboring countries. Given its classification as a tropical cyclone, Chido’s formation was a result of favorable meteorological conditions over the Indian Ocean. Such cyclones pose severe threats to human life and infrastructure, particularly in impoverished or vulnerable regions. The communities affected require immediate humanitarian assistance and longer-term resilience strategies to cope with future climate events.

The devastation wreaked by Cyclone Chido underscores the urgent need for strategic disaster preparedness and mitigative measures in countries vulnerable to extreme weather events. The rising death toll and widespread damage highlight the reality faced by many communities in the region, exacerbated by climate change. Ongoing support and intervention are crucial to assist the affected populations in the recovery and rebuilding process.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr