Catastrophic Impact of Cyclone Chido in Mozambique and Mayotte

Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc in northern Mozambique, with at least 34 confirmed fatalities and significant destruction of homes and infrastructure, including in the French territory of Mayotte, where hundreds are feared dead. The ongoing struggles in recovery efforts highlight the cyclone's intensity.

At least 34 lives have been claimed by Cyclone Chido in Mozambique, a storm the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) is labeling as "one of the most intense storms ever recorded." The cyclone made landfall on Sunday, causing widespread damage in Mozambique’s northern provinces, particularly in Cabo Delgado, before traveling inland to Niassa and Nampula. Most fatalities occurred due to injuries from falling debris, as authorities confirm, while more than 34,000 families have lost their homes due to wind gusts exceeding 260 km/h (160 mph).

Cyclone Chido follows the devastation of Mayotte, a French overseas region, where early reports suggest hundreds may be dead, and many people, including over 200 Red Cross volunteers, are missing. The INGD described the situation as "heart-breaking" and predicted that the death count would likely rise. Reports indicate that extensive damage to infrastructure in Mayotte is severely hampering emergency operations, with a death toll reaching 21, although local officials fear that the real numbers may never be determined.

International humanitarian responses are being complicated by critical damage, including downed power lines and impassable roads. Local officials, such as French MP Estelle Youssouffa, have highlighted the extensive destruction, claiming that 90% of the buildings on the island are damaged. The cyclone compound’s effects with the pressure of impending recovery and the ongoing threat of attacks from Islamist militants in Mozambique emphasize a complex humanitarian crisis.

This catastrophe comes just a year after Cyclone Freddy devastated the region, resulting in over 180 fatalities in Mozambique. As the affected communities begin to reckon with this storm’s aftermath, the long-term challenges of recovery, including potential spending from state resources and the protection of vulnerable populations, remain uncertain.