Tropical Cyclone Chido Causes Catastrophic Impact on Mayotte
Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14 with winds over 200 km/h, resulting in significant destruction. Accompanied by heavy rainfall and hazardous seas, it marked the strongest storm in 90 years for the island. A national mourning was declared in France as emergency responses were initiated amid concerns of potential casualties. The role of climate change in Chido’s impact remains uncertain.
On December 14, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with winds exceeding 200 km/h, resulting in gusts over 225 km/h, marking it as the most powerful storm to impact the island in nearly a century, according to Météo-France. Accompanying the fierce winds were torrential rains, with 176 mm recorded within 12 hours, and hazardous sea conditions featuring average wave heights surpassing 5 meters. The cyclone’s intensity was so severe that it caused damage to Météo-France’s meteorological structures.
In the aftermath, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a period of national mourning as emergency and relief measures were swiftly organized. Initial assessments indicated potential severe casualties among the island’s inhabitants, particularly affecting informal housing structures that are ill-equipped for such extreme weather events. Even with advance warnings issued well over 50 hours prior to impact, the devastation was profound.
The cyclone followed an unusual path, avoiding Madagascar, which could have reduced its strength, and instead made a direct impact on Mayotte. Chido fully engulfed the island, leading to catastrophic effects. After its landfall in Mayotte, the cyclone subsequently impacted Mozambique on December 15 before beginning to weaken, also bringing substantial rainfall to Malawi.
Météo-France has indicated that the influence of climate change on Chido’s formation and its trajectory remains uncertain. They stated, “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,” as shared on their official website.
Furthermore, Météo-France La Réunion serves as the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for tropical cyclones in the South-West Indian Ocean. A seasonal forecast issued on October 31 predicted an early start for the 2024-2025 cyclone season, projecting an unusual level of activity, with 9 to 13 systems expected, of which four to seven are anticipated to develop into tropical cyclones.
The article discusses the severe impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido on Mayotte, an island in the Indian Ocean known for its vulnerability to extreme weather. The cyclone was characterized by exceptionally high wind speeds and rainfall, leading to significant destruction. The French government’s response includes emergency preparations and national mourning due to the potential loss of life, emphasizing the rare nature of such storms in the region and the uncertainty regarding climate change’s role in its intensity and path.
Tropical Cyclone Chido’s devastating impact on Mayotte highlights the island’s susceptibility to severe weather events. Despite advanced warnings, the storm caused extensive damage and potential loss of life, leading to national mourning in France. The cyclone’s rarity emphasizes the increasing concerns about climate change and its possible implications for future weather patterns on the island. The anticipations for the upcoming cyclone season signal a need for vigilance in the region.
Original Source: wmo.int
