In brief
At least 34 fatalities have been reported in Mozambique due to Cyclone Chido, a catastrophic weather event that recently made landfall, causing widespread destruction in its path, especially in the northern regions.
Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique on Sunday, unleashing devastating winds of up to 260 km/h (160 mph), and has been labeled "one of the most intense storms ever recorded" in the region. The National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) reported at least 34 fatalities, most of which were due to falling debris from collapsed structures, as the full extent of the damage continues to come to light.This cyclone did not limit its wrath to Mozambique, as it had previously wreaked havoc on the islands of Mayotte, a French overseas territory, where hundreds are feared dead, further escalating the cyclone's catastrophic toll. The INGD described the situation as "heart-breaking," and cautioned that the death toll in Mozambique could still rise as rescue operations commence and further assessments are made.With over 34,000 families displaced from their homes, the cyclone severely impacted local infrastructure. Schools, healthcare facilities, and fishing boats were destroyed, complicating the recovery efforts in a region already struggling with challenges, including attacks from Islamist militants. The cyclone made its initial landfall in Cabo Delgado before moving into the neighboring provinces of Niassa and Nampula, tragically claiming the life of a three-year-old girl, among others.Electricity and communication systems have been disrupted, and around 200,000 customers in Mozambique remain without power, according to Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM). In Mayotte, infrastructure damage has hampered emergency services, with downed power lines and inaccessible roads.As the cyclone has been measured as the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in over 90 years, the situation there is critical. Local French officials shared that at least 21 deaths have been confirmed so far, but reports suggest that the numbers could be significantly higher, with some estimates indicating potential losses in the tens of thousands. Eyewitness accounts speak of widespread destruction, with some buildings completely washed away, and a spokesperson from the International Federation of Red Cross highlighted the distressing reality of many individuals still missing, including over 200 Red Cross volunteers.Seeking to restore order amid the chaos, French authorities have enforced a night-time curfew in Mayotte as a means to prevent lootings amidst the widespread catastrophe. The devastation from Cyclone Chido is reminiscent of last year's Cyclone Freddy in Mozambique, which had similarly tragic outcomes, indicating an urgent need for disaster resilience measures in the cyclone-prone regions of Southern Africa.
