Cyclone Chido Claims 94 Lives in Mozambique Amid Political Unrest

Cyclone Chido has risen the death toll to 94 in Mozambique, particularly affecting Cabo Delgado province with winds up to 260 km/h and heavy rainfall. Approximately 620,000 people are impacted. The cyclone’s severity is linked to climate change, adding to the region’s existing political and social challenges.

The death toll from Cyclone Chido in Mozambique has tragically risen to 94, as reported by the nation’s disaster management agency. The cyclone made landfall a week ago, heavily impacting the Mayotte archipelago, with Mozambique being the second-most affected area. The storm caused severe destruction in Cabo Delgado, where wind speeds reached approximately 260 kilometers per hour and rainfall totaled around 250 millimeters in a single day. Approximately 620,000 residents have been impacted, with over 500,000 concentrated in Cabo Delgado alone. Experts attribute the cyclone’s intensity to the influences of human-caused climate change.

Cabo Delgado, aside from facing tropical storms, is also grappling with a persistent insurgency related to Islamist extremism. This recent calamity arrives at a time when Mozambique is still recovering from political turmoil following post-election violence, which resulted in at least 130 fatalities. In response to the cyclone’s devastation, Daniel Chapo, the ruling Frelimo party’s presidential candidate, visited the affected regions and appealed to citizens to contribute food and clothing to the victims, emphasizing the importance of communal support during such crises.

Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique a little over a week ago, following a pattern of tropical storm activity in the Cabo Delgado province, which is known for its vulnerability to adverse weather events. The region has also been embroiled in political instability and conflict linked to an ongoing Islamist insurgency. The aftermath of Cyclone Chido has added to the hardships faced by the population, particularly in a context where they have already been affected by socio-political strife, complicating recovery efforts. Climate change continues to exacerbate the frequency and intensity of such natural disasters globally, raising concerns for ongoing and future humanitarian crises.

In conclusion, Cyclone Chido has caused significant devastation in Mozambique, with the death toll reaching 94 and hundreds of thousands displaced. The combination of natural disaster and existing socio-political challenges complicates recovery efforts, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian response. The government’s appeal for aid underscores the importance of community solidarity in the wake of such disasters. As experts warn of the role of climate change in intensifying weather-related events, the need for effective disaster preparedness becomes even more pressing.

Original Source: www.dw.com