Malawi on High Alert for Impending Impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido

Malawi is on high alert for Tropical Cyclone Chido, forecasted to bring heavy rain and flooding to southern regions. The cyclone, maintaining wind speeds of 250 km/h, is expected to affect 11 districts before making landfall in Mozambique. Local authorities are advising evacuations in flood-prone areas, recalling the devastation of Cyclone Freddy last year, as food insecurity exacerbated by El Niño continues to challenge the country.

Malawi is currently on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Chido approaches, with meteorological experts forecasting heavy rain and potential flooding in the southern regions of the country. According to an update from Malawi’s Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, the cyclone, located northeast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, has sustained maximum wind speeds of 250 kilometers per hour. It is predicted to maintain this intensity through Saturday afternoon as it progresses westward at approximately 22 kilometers per hour, raising concerns about significant rainfall and flooding risks.

The cyclone is expected to affect 11 districts in southern Malawi including Mangochi, Machinga, Phalombe, Balaka, Mulanje, Blantyre, Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Zomba, Mwanza, and Neno. It is anticipated to reach landfall on Sunday near Nacala in Mozambique, leading to heavy rains and flooding in multiple areas until Tuesday. Chipiliro Khamula, spokesperson for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, stated the agency has advised individuals in flood-prone areas to seek higher ground and adhere to evacuation directives.

In preparation for the cyclone, Khamula remarked, “We have alerted all [district] councils and activated all clusters for swift preparatory and anticipatory actions. We have also made standby arrangements for the deployment of a search-and-rescue team comprising the Malawi Defense Force, the Malawi Police Service, the Marine Department, and the Malawi Red Cross Society.”

Tropical Cyclone Chido follows closely on the heels of Cyclone Freddy, which claimed over 1,000 lives in southern Malawi last year and devastated local agriculture. Compounding matters, Malawi is currently grappling with the effects of El Niño, which has resulted in drought and food shortages affecting over a quarter of its 20 million inhabitants. Paul Turnbull, country director for the World Food Program in Malawi, indicated that their organization has pre-existing food stocks available to support the government’s efforts.

He noted, “These stocks were mainly intended to be food assistance for people affected by El Niño as the requirement for El Niño persists. If food is needed to respond to Cyclone Chido, WFP will be seeking support to cover these costs so that we would not compromise the support for the ongoing El Niño response.”

Additionally, Turnbull confirmed that the WFP is prepared with boats to assist the government in delivering food and conducting rescue operations in the aftermath of potential flooding from the cyclone.

The situation in Malawi is dire, as the country faces the impending threat of Tropical Cyclone Chido, which comes on the heels of significant past cyclones such as Freddy. Extreme weather patterns exacerbated by climate change have led to increased cyclonic activities, impacting already vulnerable regions. In addition to the incoming cyclone, Malawi’s population is experiencing severe food insecurity due to the lingering effects of El Niño, which creates adverse weather conditions like drought. These factors combined pose a significant risk to the well-being of millions of Malawians, underscoring the need for immediate and effective response measures.

Malawi’s preparation for Tropical Cyclone Chido reflects the urgent need for disaster readiness, particularly in light of previous cyclones that have devastated the region. As heavy rainfall and flooding loom, the government and agencies like the World Food Program are mobilizing resources to mitigate the impact. The dual challenges of climate-related disasters and food insecurity emphasize the importance of coordinated efforts in disaster management for the safety and sustenance of affected populations.

Original Source: www.voanews.com