Catastrophic Impact of Cyclone Chido in Mozambique and Mayotte

At least 34 lives have been lost in Mozambique due to Cyclone Chido, while hundreds are feared dead in Mayotte. The storm, described as one of the most intense recorded, has devastated communities, leaving thousands homeless and critical infrastructure destroyed.

Cyclone Chido, which made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday, has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 34 lives, with authorities confirming that many victims were struck by falling debris as the storm battered the region. This cyclone is characterized as "one of the most intense storms ever recorded" by the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD).

After severe destruction in the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, where hundreds are feared to have perished, the situation in Mozambique is dire, prompting officials to declare a heart-breaking crisis that may still escalate in terms of casualties. Rescue operations have been severely hindered in Mayotte, where widespread infrastructure damage, including downed power lines and blocked roads, complicates emergency response efforts.

As Cyclone Chido traveled inland from its landfall in Cabo Delgado to provinces like Niassa and Nampula, over 34,000 families in Mozambique have been rendered homeless. The storm unleashed sustained winds of up to 260 km/h (160 mph), demolishing schools, health facilities, and fishing vessels along its path.

INGD spokesperson Paulo Tomas indicated that the majority of fatalities resulted from strikes by falling objects, primarily from decimated structures. The cyclone’s impact has also disrupted electricity and communication networks, leaving around 200,000 customers without power as reported by the state-owned Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM).

In Mayotte, the situation is equally bleak. With an official death toll of 21, French officials fear that the real number could be in the hundreds. Estelle Youssouffa, a member of the French Parliament representing the island, expressed her concerns over the extensive destruction, stating that up to 90% of buildings may be damaged or destroyed. Many residents, particularly undocumented immigrants, are unaccounted for, further complicating rescue efforts as they fear deportation if they seek shelter.

To prevent looting amid the chaos, French authorities on the island have implemented a night-time curfew. This incident follows last year’s Cyclone Freddy in Mozambique, which resulted in over 180 fatalities, emphasizing the growing concern surrounding increasingly severe cyclonic activity in the region.