By G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc across Mozambique, claiming 94 lives and leaving a trail of destruction since making landfall on 15 December. The powerful storm, with wind speeds reaching 260 km/h (160 mph) and an astonishing 250 mm of rainfall within 24 hours, has left over 622,000 people affected in varying capacities, according to Mozambique’s National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD). This catastrophic event has underscored the persistent vulnerability of nations to the growing impacts of climate change.
Chido initially tore through the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte before moving across Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. In Mozambique, it struck northern provinces accustomed to frequent cyclones, beginning in Cabo Delgado and advancing inland to Niassa and Nampula. The storm has inflicted widespread damage to vital infrastructure, leaving more than 109,793 students unable to attend school due to the destruction of educational facilities. Additionally, 52 health units have been severely damaged, further limiting access to essential healthcare in regions already struggling with inadequate services.
Authorities in Mozambique have mobilized a national response to address the disaster. Daniel Chapo, leader of Mozambique's ruling party, stated during a visit to Cabo Delgado that the government is working closely with the INGD to assist affected communities in rebuilding. Efforts are underway to provide relief in the worst-hit provinces, including Mecúfi, Nampula, Memba, and Niassa.
In Mayotte, Cyclone Chido has been described as the most devastating storm to strike the archipelago in nearly a century. The death toll currently stands at 35, but local officials warn that it could rise significantly as damage assessments continue. Many residents remain without access to basic necessities such as clean water and electricity, compounding the crisis. Efforts to stabilize the region include the deployment of over 1,300 officers and the establishment of an air bridge to deliver essential supplies from Reunion and mainland France. Daily shipments of food, water, and equipment are being distributed, with 80 tonnes of food and 50 tonnes of water delivered in a single day, according to French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
Cyclone Chido has once again drawn attention to the devastating impacts of tropical cyclones, characterized by extreme wind speeds, torrential rainfall, and destructive storm surges. The damage inflicted on social infrastructure highlights the urgent need for climate-resilient planning to mitigate the effects of future storms. As global temperatures rise, the intensity and frequency of such storms are increasingly tied to human-induced climate change. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has noted with high confidence that human activities have contributed to increased precipitation in tropical cyclones and that the likelihood of more intense storms has risen significantly.
The devastation caused by Cyclone Chido serves as a grim reminder of the challenges posed by a warming planet. It underscores the pressing need for global cooperation and action to bolster infrastructure resilience and reduce the vulnerabilities of communities facing the growing threat of climate-induced disasters.
