Cyclone Chido, a ferocious tropical cyclone, has claimed the lives of at least 94 people in Mozambique, according to the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD).
The storm, which made landfall on 15 December, packing winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) and torrential rainfall, has left a trail of destruction across the country, impacting over 622,000 people. The INGD also reported over 768 injuries. Chido’s impact extends beyond Mozambique, however, leaving a path of devastation in its wake across the Indian Ocean.
The cyclone first struck the northern Mozambican provinces of Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Nampula – regions frequently battered by such storms. The INGD detailed significant damage to vital infrastructure, particularly affecting the education and health sectors.
Over 109,793 students have been affected by school closures and damage to school buildings, while the destruction of 52 sanitary units further compromises access to healthcare, especially in areas already facing limited services. This damage exacerbates pre-existing challenges in accessing healthcare facilities.
Mozambique’s ruling party leader, Daniel Chapo, confirmed the government’s mobilisation of support across all levels. During a visit to Cabo Delgado on Sunday, one of the worst-affected areas, Chapo stated that the government, working alongside the INGD, is committed to assisting the rebuilding efforts in Mecúfi, Nampula, Memba, and Niassa provinces. He said: “The government is mobilising support on “all levels” in response to the cyclone.”
The devastation caused by Cyclone Chido extends beyond Mozambique’s borders. Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, experienced the worst storm in 90 years, leaving tens of thousands reeling from the catastrophe. The interior ministry confirmed 35 deaths, though the prefect warned that the death toll could rise significantly, potentially reaching thousands, once the full extent of the damage is assessed. Over 1,300 officers were deployed to support the local population.
A week after the cyclone, many Mayotte residents still lack basic necessities, although running water is gradually returning to the capital. The ministry has advised residents to boil water for three minutes before consumption. A substantial logistical operation is underway, with approximately 100 tonnes of aid being delivered daily via an air bridge established between Mayotte, Reunion, and mainland France. Interior minister Bruno Retailleau announced on Friday that 80 tonnes of food and 50 tonnes of water had been distributed across Mayotte that day. He stated: “80 tonnes of food and 50 tonnes of water had been distributed across Mayotte that day.”
The INGD’s statement highlighted the vulnerability of social infrastructure to climate change and emphasised the crucial need for resilient planning to mitigate future impacts. While precisely quantifying climate change’s influence on individual cyclones remains challenging, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has expressed “high confidence” that human activity has contributed to increased precipitation associated with tropical cyclones and “medium confidence” regarding the increased likelihood of more intense storms. Tropical cyclones are characterised by very high wind speeds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, which are short-term rises to sea-levels. This often causes widespread damage and flooding.
The combined death toll of at least 129 people and the widespread disruption to essential services and infrastructure underscore the devastating impact of these increasingly frequent and intense weather events. The long road to recovery for both Mozambique and Mayotte will require substantial international support and a concerted effort to rebuild communities and infrastructure.
