Cyclone Chido Strikes Mayotte with Devastating Force
On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with winds reaching 225 kilometers (140 miles) per hour, causing widespread damage and marking it as the strongest cyclone to hit the island in over 90 years. The cyclone formed on December 5, intensified, and made its way across the southwestern Indian Ocean before affecting multiple regions, including Mozambique.
On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido unleashed its fury on the islands of Mayotte, causing widespread destruction as it delivered hurricane-force winds. Reports indicate that the cyclone damaged power infrastructure, uprooted trees, and removed roofs from homes across the French territory. Chido, which originated in the southeastern Indian Ocean on December 5, rapidly intensified, making its first notable landfall in the Mauritian islands of Agaléga on December 11 before reaching its peak intensity at 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour, categorizing it as a strong Category 4 hurricane.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center observed that Cyclone Chido maintained favorable storm conditions, characterized by warm ocean temperatures nearing 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) and minimal vertical wind shear. After passing north of Madagascar, the cyclone made landfall in northern Mayotte with sustained winds reaching 225 kilometers (140 miles) per hour. Images captured by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite on the NOAA-20 satellite depicted the cyclone shortly after its landfall.
Chido has been recorded as the most powerful storm to strike Mayotte in over nine decades, as reported by Météo-France. Preliminary satellite assessments conducted by the European Union revealed significant destruction in the eastern and northern regions of Mayotte, notably affecting Mamoudzou, the capital, and the airport on the Petite Terre island of Pamandzi. Following its devastation of Mayotte, Chido continued its trajectory towards Mozambique on December 15, inflicting similar damage along its path with winds consistent with a Category 4 tropical cyclone.
The subject of this article revolves around Cyclone Chido, a powerful tropical cyclone that impacted Mayotte in December 2024. Tropical cyclones, such as Chido, can cause significant damage due to their intense wind speeds and accompanying severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and storm surges. Mayotte, a group of islands located in the Indian Ocean, is particularly vulnerable to cyclonic activity due to its geographical position. The occurrence of such extreme weather events necessitates a thorough understanding of their formation, movement, and impact on local communities, infrastructure, and economies.
In conclusion, Cyclone Chido stands as a formidable force, marking a significant event in the meteorological history of Mayotte. Its abrupt intensity and resultant damages emphasize the necessity for enhanced preparedness and response strategies in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate. As the cyclone swept through Mayotte and proceeded to Mozambique, it left a lasting mark on the affected regions, highlighting the potential hazards posed by tropical storms in vulnerable territories.
Original Source: www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov
