Tropical Cyclone Chido: A Devastating Impact on Mayotte in December 2024
Tropical Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Mayotte on December 14, 2024, causing at least 22 deaths and injuring 1,500 individuals. The cyclone has severely damaged key infrastructure and affected one-third of the population, who were already living in vulnerable conditions.
On December 5, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido formed in the southeast Indian Ocean Basin. This system progressed to a moderate tropical storm by December 9, achieving peak intensity as a Category 4 cyclone with winds of 250 km/h by December 12. On December 14, Chido made landfall in Mayotte with winds reaching 225 km/h, marking it as the most powerful storm to impact the island in over nine decades. The resulting devastation has claimed at least 22 lives and left around 1,500 individuals injured as of December 18, 2024, with concerns that these figures may continue to rise as rescue operations advance. The cyclone severely impacted essential infrastructure such as hospitals, airports, and roads while disrupting electricity, water, and communication services. Additionally, it has exacerbated the precarious living conditions for roughly 100,000 residents, approximately one-third of the island’s population, who had already been living in inadequate housing prior to the calamity. The official population of Mayotte stands at around 320,000 with an estimated additional 200,000 undocumented individuals mainly from the Comoros Islands.
Tropical Cyclone Chido emerged as a significant meteorological event in December 2024, causing unprecedented damage in Mayotte. This Indian Ocean cyclone intensified rapidly, ultimately making landfall as a powerful Category 4 storm. Understanding the context of Mayotte’s existing housing crisis emphasizes the impact of Chido’s devastation. With a large portion of the population residing in vulnerable structures, the effect of the cyclone has been particularly damaging.
In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Chido has brought catastrophic consequences to the island of Mayotte. With at least 22 fatalities and significant infrastructure damage, recovery efforts are paramount. The dramatic increase in the number of affected individuals reflects the dire need for immediate humanitarian assistance and long-term strategies to address housing vulnerabilities. Moving forward, it is essential to prioritize support for those impacted and to evaluate measures that enhance the resilience of the community against future natural disasters.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
