Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte and Mozambique: A Humanitarian Crisis Erupts
Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, brought severe destruction to Mayotte before making landfall in Mozambique on December 15. With wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h, the cyclone has severely impacted millions, prompting coordinated humanitarian responses to support those affected by the disaster.
On December 15, Cyclone Chido, classified as a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Pemba, the capital of Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province. Prior to hitting Mozambique, the cyclone devastated the French overseas territory of Mayotte, where entire neighborhoods were reported as flattened. The cyclone’s significant winds, exceeding 136 mph (220 km/h), resulted in extensive damage and a severe humanitarian crisis affecting approximately 1.7 million people in Mozambique. Organizations such as the International Organization for Migration and UNICEF are currently engaged in assessing needs and coordinating early responses to this disaster.
The Malawi Red Cross reported cyclone Chido’s impact across multiple regions, with concerns primarily regarding heavy rains and potential flooding. As the storm continues to influence areas beyond Mozambique, swift humanitarian responses are imperative to mitigate further damages. Reports from various agencies underline the urgent need to support the vulnerable populations affected by this catastrophic event, especially considering the realities presented by ongoing challenges in accessibility to aid resources.
Cyclone Chido formed as a powerful weather system in the southern Indian Ocean before targeting Mayotte and northern Mozambique. Mayotte, a French overseas department, experienced unprecedented damage from the cyclone, with reports indicating an extraordinarily high wind speed that had not been recorded in over 90 years. The latest cyclone comes at a time when both Mozambique and Mayotte are grappling with significant vulnerabilities due to socio-economic challenges, exacerbating the impacts of natural disasters.
The aftermath of Cyclone Chido underscores the critical need for coordinated humanitarian efforts in the face of natural disasters. Organizations are mobilizing to provide immediate support to the affected populations in Mozambique while assessing the extensive destruction left in Mayotte. As communities work to recover from this calamity, the risks associated with such storms highlight the urgency for improved disaster preparedness and response strategies in the region.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
