Tropical Cyclone Chido, classified as Category 4, has had a devastating impact on several regions of Africa and the Indian Ocean, causing deaths, injuries and extensive damage to infrastructure.
In Mozambique, the cyclone made landfall on December 15, with winds reaching 260 km/h and rainfall of 250 mm in just 24 hours. The official toll rose to 120 deaths, up from 94 initially reported by the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD). Over 900 people were injured, many of whom lost their homes due to storm damage. Vital infrastructure, such as schools and health centers, suffered severe damage.
Before striking Mozambique, Chido had already devastated Mayotte, a French overseas territory, on December 14. Here the cyclone brought winds that exceeded 220 km/h, causing massive destruction. The death toll in Mayotte initially rose to 35 deaths, but further updates increased the tally to 39 deaths, with 124 seriously injured and over 4,000 lightly injured. The prefecture stressed that the number of victims could be underestimated due to the vulnerability of the precarious housing in which much of the population lives.
In Mayotte, 630,000 liters of drinking water were delivered, thanks to mobile purification units that reached even the most difficult to reach areas. A field hospital has been set up to deal with the influx of patients, with 60 medical rescue teams already operating in the area and more than 600 people assisted.
Cyclone Chido also caused significant damage in other regions, including Madagascar, Comoros, Zimbabwe and Malawi. In Malawi, authorities reported 13 deaths and 29 injuries, as well as severe damage to homes and infrastructure.
The impact of the cyclone highlights the need for more effective emergency management in risk areas and interventions to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations. Rescue operations continue, while the death toll could rise further.
