Tropical Cyclone Chido Strikes Mayotte, Causing Devastation and Loss of Life
Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, 2023, with winds exceeding 200 km/h, causing significant destruction and potential loss of hundreds of lives. The storm brought heavy rainfall and dangerous sea conditions, marking the most intense cyclone to impact Mayotte in 90 years. Despite timely warnings from Météo-France, the region’s unpreparedness led to severe repercussions. Chido later affected Mozambique and Malawi before dissipating, raising concerns about future cyclone seasons influenced by climate change.
On December 14, Tropical Cyclone Chido ravaged Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, registering wind speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and gusts surpassing 225 kilometers per hour, making it the most formidable storm to impact the island in nearly 90 years as reported by Météo-France. The storm unleashed torrential rains, with 176 millimeters falling within 12 hours, and generated perilous sea conditions with average wave heights exceeding 5 meters. The intensity of the cyclone was sufficient to damage some of Météo-France’s observational infrastructure.
In response to this catastrophe, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a national day of mourning. Initial assessments indicated that the storm may have claimed hundreds of lives, impacting a small island community illequipped to handle such severe weather and characterized by numerous informal housing structures. Despite Météo-France’s timely warnings that began over 50 hours prior to the storm’s arrival, significant loss of life occurred, highlighting vulnerabilities within the region.
Chido’s trajectory was atypical, passing close to Madagascar, which might have ordinarily diminished the cyclone’s strength. However, its impact on Mayotte was pronounced, as the eye of the cyclone fully engulfed the island. Chido later made landfall in Mozambique on December 15 before losing intensity, subsequently bringing heavy rainfall to both Mozambique and Malawi.
Météo-France commented on the situation, stating, “The impacts of Chido are above all due to its track and the direct hit on Mayotte. This is an extremely rare event not seen for 90 years. Our current state of knowledge doesn’t allow us to draw any conclusions about the role of climate change on the track of the cyclone and on its intensity.” The agency serves as the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC), providing crucial cyclone monitoring for the South-West Indian Ocean.
In anticipation of future storms, the RSMC’s seasonal forecast issued on October 31 indicated an early onset of the 2024-2025 cyclone season, which is expected to exhibit normal to heightened activity levels. The forecast predicts the possibility of 9 to 13 systems, of which 4 to 7 may escalate to tropical cyclone status.
The devastation wreaked by Cyclone Chido emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced preparedness and resilient infrastructure in tropical cyclone-prone regions. Climate change and its implications on cyclone behavior, while currently inconclusive, remain an area for further study to mitigate future risks and protect vulnerable populations.
Chido marks a pivotal moment for Mayotte and surrounding regions, underscoring the spiraling impacts and challenges posed by extreme weather events.
Tropical cyclones are powerful storms that can cause catastrophic damage to affected areas, particularly when they strike regions where such intense weather is infrequent. Mayotte, a small island in the Indian Ocean, experienced a historical event with Cyclone Chido, as it was the strongest storm to strike the island in nearly a century. The timely alerts issued by Météo-France, although accurate, were not sufficient to prevent extensive loss of life and property due to the islanders’ vulnerability and preparedness levels. Cyclone forecasts are crucial for timely evacuations and resource allocation, and understanding the broader impacts of climatic changes is essential for future resilience.
In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Chido has been a devastating natural disaster for Mayotte, emphasizing the vulnerability of small island communities to extreme weather events. The swift response from Météo-France and the French government illustrate a commitment to addressing immediate needs; however, the long-term implications of such disasters signal a pressing need for resilient infrastructure and careful scrutiny of climate change’s role in altering storm patterns. As the world continues to grapple with climate variability, strengthening disaster readiness and response will be paramount to safeguard affected populations.
Original Source: wmo.int
