Devastation of Mayotte by Tropical Cyclone Chido: A Historical Impact
Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, 2023, with devastating winds and heavy rainfall, resulting in a national day of mourning declared by President Macron. The cyclone was the strongest to hit the island in 90 years, causing significant devastation and loss of life despite timely alerts issued by Météo-France. The event highlights concerns regarding preparedness for extreme weather in vulnerable regions.
On December 14, 2023, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck the island of Mayotte with wind speeds surpassing 200 km/h and gusts exceeding 225 km/h. Characterized as the most powerful storm to impact Mayotte in the last nine decades, Chido brought heavy rainfall of 176 mm within just 12 hours, coupled with perilous wave heights averaging over 5 meters. It even caused significant damage to Météo-France’s observation infrastructure.
In response to the calamity, French President Emmanuel Macron declared a national day of mourning, and an extensive emergency relief effort was initiated amid concerns that potentially hundreds of lives could have been lost on the island, which is ill-prepared for storms of such magnitude.
Despite timely warning measures from Météo-France, including a red alert issued on December 13 and escalated to a violet alert on December 14, the loss of life was tragic. Chido’s unusual trajectory enabled it to directly impact Mayotte, avoiding a potentially weakening encounter with Madagascar. The cyclone later made landfall in Mozambique on December 15, bringing heavy rainfall to the region, including Malawi.
According to Météo-France, it remains unclear how climate change may have influenced Chido’s intensity and path. The organization noted, “The impacts of Chido are above all due to its track and the direct hit on Mayotte,” indicating that the occurrence is extraordinarily rare and has not been observed for 90 years. The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in La Réunion had predicted earlier onset of the cyclone season for the region in their seasonal outlook, anticipating normal to above-normal cyclone activity.
The impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido on Mayotte highlights the increasing threats posed by severe weather events, particularly in regions not typically accustomed to such powerful storms. The cyclone’s unexpectedly intense winds and subsequent rainfall underscore the complexities of forecasting tropical weather patterns and the challenges faced by local infrastructure. Recent advancements in meteorological warnings, while proving effective in some instances, still cannot fully prevent loss of life and damage during extreme weather. Météo-France’s role as a regional forecasting authority emphasizes the necessity of continuous improvement in cyclone preparedness and response mechanisms in vulnerable territories.
In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Chido has emerged as a significant event, devastating Mayotte and leading to considerable loss of life despite prior warnings. The cyclone’s unusual strength and trajectory underline the urgency for improved preparedness in response to climate-related weather phenomena. As scientists continue to analyze the factors influencing the cyclone’s intensity and path, the event serves as a stark reminder of the potential impacts of climate change on tropical cyclone behavior.
Original Source: wmo.int
