On December 14, Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte, with winds exceeding 200 km/h and heavy rainfall, causing significant destruction and loss of life. President Macron declared national mourning. Although timely warnings were provided, extensive damage occurred due to the cyclone’s strength and unusual trajectory. Chido subsequently affected Mozambique, bringing additional rainfall. Météo-France stated that the cyclone’s intensity was rare for the region, with the implications of climate change remaining uncertain.
On December 14, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with devastating force, producing winds exceeding 200 km/h and gusts surpassing 225 km/h. This cyclone was recognized as the most powerful storm to impact Mayotte in at least 90 years, as noted by Météo-France. Accompanying the strong winds were torrential rains, measuring 176 mm in just 12 hours, and perilous seas with wave heights averaging over 5 meters. The cyclone’s sheer intensity even led to the destruction of Météo-France’s observational facilities.
In response to the disaster, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a national period of mourning. Early reports indicated that the small island, which is unaccustomed to such severe cyclones and contains numerous informal housing structures, may have experienced extensive loss of life, prompting a large-scale emergency and relief operation. Despite receiving accurate warnings more than 50 hours in advance, the impact of the cyclone resulted in heavy casualties.
The warning system initiated by Météo-France involved an amber alert issued on December 13 at 7 a.m., followed by an escalation to a red alert later that evening. By the morning of December 14, the alert was upgraded to a seldom-used violet alert. Remarkably, Cyclone Chido took an atypical path, bypassing Madagascar, which could have weakened the storm, and directly impacting Mayotte with its full force.
After devastating Mayotte, Chido made landfall in Mozambique on December 15, causing heavy rainfall as it weakened. Both Mozambique and Malawi experienced significant rainfall due to the cyclone. Météo-France reported that, while the role of climate change remains unclear, the impacts were primarily a result of Chido’s direct hit on Mayotte, emphasizing that the event is exceptionally rare.
Météo-France explained, “The impacts of Chido are above all due to its track and the direct hit on Mayotte. This is an extremely rare event not seen for 90 years.” The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for the Southwest Indian Ocean had previously predicted an early start to the cyclone season, with the potential for increased activity and several systems reaching tropical cyclone strength.
Tropical cyclones, or hurricanes, are intense wind and rain systems that can cause catastrophic damage when they make landfall, especially in regions unaccustomed to such severe weather. Climate change is a complex factor that may influence the intensity and frequency of these storms. Cyclone Chido’s unprecedented impact on Mayotte and surrounding regions highlights the need for enhanced preparedness and response systems in vulnerable areas. Météo-France plays a crucial role in monitoring and forecasting developments in tropical cyclone activity for the region.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido significantly impacted Mayotte on December 14, marking a historic and devastating event in the region. Despite timely warnings, the small island faced severe casualties and destruction. The cyclone’s unusual trajectory and intensity raise critical considerations about preparedness for future tropical storms, while Météo-France’s predictions suggest an extended period of cyclone activity in the Indian Ocean.
Original Source: wmo.int
