Impact of Tropical Cyclones in the Southwestern Indian Ocean:…

The 2024/2025 cyclone season in the Southwestern Indian Ocean has commenced with Tropical Cyclone Chido, resulting in substantial devastation across Madagascar, Mozambique, and surrounding regions. The cyclone caused at least 172 deaths and widespread infrastructure damage, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals. Subsequent storms and severe flooding have exacerbated the situation, highlighting the increasing need for humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness efforts.

The 2024/2025 Cyclone Season in the Southwestern Indian Ocean commenced with Tropical Cyclone Chido, which significantly impacted Madagascar, Mozambique, and other surrounding areas. The cyclone reached Category 4 strength, resulting in over 172 fatalities and 6,300 injuries across the region. Madagascar faced widespread infrastructure damage affecting over 135,800 individuals, while Mozambique and Mayotte also experienced severe disruptions. Emergency measures, including evacuation protocols, were initiated to mitigate risks associated with imminent dangers.

Following Chido, the government of Comoros declared a mourning period as the cyclone heavily affected Anjouan and Moheli, where 64,167 individuals suffered loss of homes and agricultural devastation. In Mayotte, approximately 70 percent of the population faced severe impacts such as destruction of essential services, with many residents temporarily housed in inadequate conditions. Relief efforts, led by the Red Cross, focused on providing immediate humanitarian support.

Subsequently, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi struck northern Madagascar on January 11, 2025, exacerbating the situation further. This cyclone damaged approximately 1,000 homes and impacted schooling for 8,000 students. Areas already affected by Chido experienced additional challenges as Dikeledi made landfall in Mozambique, further straining resources and prompting increased relief measures.

In late February 2025, Tropical Storms Honde and Garance formed, with Honde causing destruction to almost 100,000 people while Garance affected La Réunion. The situation worsened due to heavy rainfall leading to severe flooding in southern Africa, displacing thousands in Madagascar and Malawi. Ongoing flooding has resulted in significant displacement and casualties, highlighting the urgent need for disaster management assistance.

The Emergency Appeal aims to mobilize necessary resources for humanitarian assistance and strengthen the capacity of the Red Cross in response to the increasing severity of tropical storms in the region, ensuring preparedness and building resilience in at-risk communities.

In summary, the Southwest Indian Ocean is experiencing an unprecedented cyclone season, highlighted by the intense disruption caused by Tropical Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi. The devastating impact is notable across Madagascar, Mozambique, and surrounding regions, with thousands affected and significant infrastructure damage reported. Ongoing floods further complicate recovery efforts, emphasizing the critical need for robust emergency response and preparedness measures to protect vulnerable communities. The Emergency Appeal seeks to enhance relief efforts and disaster resilience amidst these challenges.

Original Source: reliefweb.int