Tropical Storm Dikeledi Affects Mayotte Amid Ongoing Crisis from Cyclone Chido
Tropical Storm Dikeledi struck near Mayotte on January 12, 2025, causing heavy rains and strong winds, exacerbating the region’s challenges following Cyclone Chido. The storm also made landfall in Madagascar, leading to fatalities and significant displacement. Authorities are mobilizing resources as residents are advised to stay indoors due to flash flood risks.
On January 12, 2025, Tropical Storm Dikeledi moved away from Mayotte after causing heavy rainfall and strong winds, just weeks following the destruction wrought by Cyclone Chido. This recent storm had traveled through Madagascar where it impacted the northern coast, leading to flash floods that left three dead and over 900 displaced. In Mayotte, Dikeledi passed within 100 kilometers of the island, prompting a red alert and the mobilization of emergency resources. Residential flooding was reported especially in the village of Mbouini, which had previously been spared from Cyclone Chido’s devastation.
As authorities enacted crisis response measures, including the establishment of cyclone shelters for over 14,500 people, residents were advised to remain indoors due to the ongoing threat of flooding and landslides. The storm’s path indicates a potential for intensification, which could affect Mozambique’s Nampula province by the following week, with additional rainfall expected for the Comoros islands. Consequently, there are heightened concerns regarding the overall safety and wellbeing of the affected communities.
Tropical Storm Dikeledi has emerged in the context of recent severe weather disturbances in the Indian Ocean region, particularly following Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte on December 14, 2024. The devastation caused by Cyclone Chido, which resulted in the death of at least 35 individuals and left considerable infrastructure damage, highlighted the vulnerability of Mayotte, especially given its socioeconomic challenges as the poorest department within the European Union. This ongoing series of storms raises concerns about disaster preparedness and community resilience in the face of climate-related natural disasters.
In summary, the effects of Tropical Storm Dikeledi near Mayotte have compounded the region’s challenges following Cyclone Chido, emphasizing the threat that climate-related disasters pose to vulnerable communities. With emergency responses underway and predictions of further storm activity, the safety and recovery of residents remain central concerns for both local authorities and humanitarian organizations. Continued monitoring and support will be critical as the region braces for potential future intensification of storms.
Original Source: euroweeklynews.com
