Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique on December 15, 2024, resulting in severe damage across northern provinces, affecting 174,000 people with devastating winds and rains. The cyclone destroyed homes and infrastructure, heightening the risk of cholera and food shortages. Immediate action is necessary to assist affected communities with recovery efforts and regain access to resources.
On December 15, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck the Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique with ferocious winds reaching up to 120 kilometers per hour and heavy rainfall that exceeded 250 millimeters within a single day. This catastrophic event has resulted in significant destruction throughout northern Mozambique, notably affecting Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces, with Tete and northern Zambézia experiencing secondary impacts.
As reported by the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), approximately 174,000 individuals have been severely affected by the cyclone, with fatalities reported at 34 and injuries at 319. The devastation has led to the destruction or partial damage of over 35,000 homes, as well as critical infrastructure including schools, health facilities, and water supply systems. The cyclone’s aftermath significantly worsened pre-existing vulnerabilities, particularly in Cabo Delgado, which is already struggling with conflict-related displacement and a cholera outbreak.
In sectors such as Mecufi and Chiure, virtually all homes have experienced severe damage, rendering health services non-operational. The cyclone has also inflicted devastating losses on agriculture, destroying vast areas of maize, beans, sesame, and cassava crops, which has left communities without sufficient food resources and acute means for recovery. In addition, the Memba and Erati districts of Nampula province have reported that over 3,600 families have been impacted, coupled with substantial losses in fishing assets and livelihoods.
The risk of waterborne diseases, particularly cholera, has escalated due to the destruction of water and sanitation systems. Furthermore, disrupted communication and power networks are significantly hindering humanitarian aid efforts. As over 80 percent of Mozambique’s population depends on agriculture for sustenance and income, immediate action is crucial to assist affected households in rebuilding their livelihoods, restoring access to adequate nutrition, and recovering from this disaster.
Tropical cyclones are common in Mozambique, frequently resulting in catastrophic weather events due to the country’s geographic location along the Indian Ocean. Cyclone Chido is one of the latest natural disasters to afflict the nation, causing widespread suffering in several provinces and exposing vulnerabilities exacerbated by existing social issues such as displacement and health crises. The cyclone’s destructive impact highlights the critical need for disaster preparedness and effective response strategies to support recovery efforts in the wake of such devastating weather events.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted considerable damage in Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces. With thousands of homes destroyed and vital agricultural production crippled, urgent humanitarian assistance is vital. The heightened risk of waterborne diseases further complicates the response, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to restore infrastructure and support affected communities for recovery and resilience against future disasters.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
