Tropical Cyclone Chido Ravages Mayotte: A 90-Year Storm Unleashed
Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, causing winds exceeding 200 km/h and rainfall of 176 mm in 12 hours, leading to significant destruction and loss of life. President Macron declared a national mourning as emergency operations were activated. Despite timely warnings from Météo-France, the rare storm wreaked havoc on Mayotte, marking the strongest cyclone in 90 years. The cyclone later influenced regions in Mozambique and Malawi before weakening.
Tropical cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, achieving wind speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and gusts surpassing 225 kilometers per hour. This catastrophic event represented the most powerful storm to impact Mayotte in the past nine decades, as reported by Météo-France. Accompanied by torrential rainfall—176 mm recorded within merely 12 hours—and perilous sea conditions with waves averaging over five meters, the cyclone resulted in the destruction of some of Météo-France’s observation structures.
In the aftermath, French President Emmanuel Macron declared a national day of mourning, while a substantial emergency and relief operation was swiftly deployed, amid preliminary indications that hundreds of lives may have been lost on the island, which is ill-equipped for encounters with such formidable tropical cyclones, particularly in light of prevalent informal housing conditions. Despite Météo-France’s timely issuance of meticulous warnings over 50 hours in advance—including an amber alert on December 13 and a subsequent red alert—the degree of devastation was stark.
The cyclone followed an atypical trajectory, skirting Madagascar which could have diminished its strength, and made an intense impact as it enveloped Mayotte. Following its landfall on December 15 over Mozambique, Chido continued to cause significant rainfall across Mozambique and Malawi. Météo-France further noted that while climate change’s influence remains ambiguous, the incident is primarily attributable to its novel trajectory and direct approach towards Mayotte, asserting the rarity of such occurrences, revisiting a phenomenon unseen for 90 years.
Météo-France, which also serves as the World Meteorological Organization’s Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for the South-West Indian Ocean, had correctly anticipated an earlier onset to the cyclone season for 2024-2025 in its forecast issued on October 31. The forecast indicated a potential for 9 to 13 cyclone systems, with 4 to 7 reaching tropical cyclone status, a prediction aligned with a noticeable increase in cyclone activity in prior years.
The recent devastating impact of tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean underscores the urgent need for advanced weather forecasting and disaster preparedness strategies. Tropical cyclone Chido serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities experienced by smaller islands like Mayotte, where housing structures often do not withstand severe natural disasters. This event has sparked discussions regarding the implications of climate change on cyclone frequency and intensity, as meteorological authorities continue to study its complex interplay with extreme weather phenomena.
In conclusion, the impact of cyclone Chido on Mayotte has resulted in tragic loss of life and significant damage, highlighting the island’s vulnerability to unprecedented cyclonic activity. Despite early warnings issued by Météo-France, societal resilience and infrastructure development are critical components needed to mitigate the effects of future cyclones. This event reiterates the importance of ongoing research into climate change and its effects on weather patterns, particularly for isolated regions relying on scientific predictions for safety.
Original Source: wmo.int
