As Cyclone Chido leaves a path of destruction in Mozambique, the humanitarian crisis deepens, with hundreds of thousands already displaced by insurgent conflict.
Cyclone Chido Ravages Mozambique: Death Toll Surges to 75 Amid Ongoing Conflict
Cyclone Chido Ravages Mozambique: Death Toll Surges to 75 Amid Ongoing Conflict
Devastation in Cabo Delgado Underlined by Climate Change's Relentless Toll
The death toll from Cyclone Chido’s catastrophic impact in Mozambique has tragically escalated to 75, according to government reports released on Friday. This figure nearly doubles earlier estimates, as rescue workers are now accessing regions previously isolated by the cyclone’s fury. Making landfall earlier this week in Cabo Delgado, a province already afflicted by years of insurgency fueled by a group linked to the Islamic State, Chido has exacerbated pre-existing challenges faced by the local population.
Mozambique's National Institute for Natural Disasters noted that at least 69 of the fatalities were in Cabo Delgado, while injuries numbered around 740. Many bodies were uncovered only as dedicated rescue teams navigated through treacherous dirt roads that were obliterated by the storm's winds and torrential rain. In the Mecufi district, preliminary assessments have reported widespread destruction, with virtually all structures either damaged or leveled.
Describing the aftermath, Isadora Zoni, an official from the UN Refugee Agency, remarked, “What you see is utter destruction.” Photographic evidence from the disaster region depicted mud homes entirely washed away and wooden homes reduced to mere heaps. Even critical infrastructure suffered; the roof of the district’s maternity clinic was torn off, scattering equipment and beds, while classrooms lay in ruins save for a few discarded schoolbooks.
This unfortunate scenario unfolds in a context where Cabo Delgado province has seen hundreds of thousands forced from their homes due to ongoing insurgent attacks. In Chiure district alone, it’s reported that 10,000 individuals who had already been displaced were living in temporary tents when the cyclone struck, further compounding their precarious situation.
Wind speeds soared to 115 miles per hour as Cyclone Chido barreled through the southern Indian Ocean, reaching Category 3 hurricane levels similar to what is commonly observed in the Atlantic. The cyclone also delivered lethal damage to Mayotte, a French archipelago nearby, claiming at least 31 lives with more casualties anticipated.
The UN Refugee Agency has cautioned that Cyclone Chido may herald an especially intense rainy season, historically linked with severe flooding and subsequent cyclones in the area. Previous storms such as Tropical Cyclone Freddy and Cyclone Gombe have already taken a toll on Mozambique, with many residents displaced as climate-related disasters become an increasingly dire reality. As of now, nearly 140,000 individuals have fled their homes due to extreme weather events in the last few years.
Mozambique's National Institute for Natural Disasters noted that at least 69 of the fatalities were in Cabo Delgado, while injuries numbered around 740. Many bodies were uncovered only as dedicated rescue teams navigated through treacherous dirt roads that were obliterated by the storm's winds and torrential rain. In the Mecufi district, preliminary assessments have reported widespread destruction, with virtually all structures either damaged or leveled.
Describing the aftermath, Isadora Zoni, an official from the UN Refugee Agency, remarked, “What you see is utter destruction.” Photographic evidence from the disaster region depicted mud homes entirely washed away and wooden homes reduced to mere heaps. Even critical infrastructure suffered; the roof of the district’s maternity clinic was torn off, scattering equipment and beds, while classrooms lay in ruins save for a few discarded schoolbooks.
This unfortunate scenario unfolds in a context where Cabo Delgado province has seen hundreds of thousands forced from their homes due to ongoing insurgent attacks. In Chiure district alone, it’s reported that 10,000 individuals who had already been displaced were living in temporary tents when the cyclone struck, further compounding their precarious situation.
Wind speeds soared to 115 miles per hour as Cyclone Chido barreled through the southern Indian Ocean, reaching Category 3 hurricane levels similar to what is commonly observed in the Atlantic. The cyclone also delivered lethal damage to Mayotte, a French archipelago nearby, claiming at least 31 lives with more casualties anticipated.
The UN Refugee Agency has cautioned that Cyclone Chido may herald an especially intense rainy season, historically linked with severe flooding and subsequent cyclones in the area. Previous storms such as Tropical Cyclone Freddy and Cyclone Gombe have already taken a toll on Mozambique, with many residents displaced as climate-related disasters become an increasingly dire reality. As of now, nearly 140,000 individuals have fled their homes due to extreme weather events in the last few years.
