Cyclone Chido's Wrath: Death Toll Surges to 75 in Mozambique Amidst Ongoing Crisis

The recent devastation caused by Cyclone Chido has seen the death toll in Mozambique rise to 75 as rescuers reach previously inaccessible locations, with Cabo Delgado province being the hardest hit. Initially reported deaths stood at 69, but the grim figures have increased as rescue workers navigate washed-out roads. The cyclone wreaked havoc in an area already grappling with a yearslong insurgency, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee. Large quantities of infrastructure damage have been reported, particularly in districts such as Mecufi, where Isadora Zoni from the United Nations described the aftermath as “utter destruction” with most buildings flattened and essential services severely disrupted.

Affected families, many displaced by ongoing conflict, are now facing compounding crises due to the harsh impacts of climate change and the violent weather that regularly assails Mozambique. Recent reports indicate that the cyclone produced winds of up to 115 miles per hour, resulting in widespread infrastructural damage, including the destruction of a maternity clinic and schools. The United Nations Refugee Agency warns that Cyclone Chido may usher in a prolonged rainy season characterized by significant cyclones and floods, as the region grapples with a history of extreme weather events and a continuing humanitarian crisis.

As authorities work to assess the full extent of the damage, neighboring areas, including Mayotte, also faced destruction with a death toll reported at 31 and counts expected to rise. With increasing cycles of displacement due to violence and climate, the situation remains dire for many residents in Mozambique, emphasizing the critical need for humanitarian aid and comprehensive disaster relief efforts moving forward.