Devastation Wrought by Cyclone Chido on Mayotte

Cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte on December 14, 2024, with winds reaching up to 225 kilometers per hour. Forming on December 5 in the Indian Ocean, it left widespread destruction, particularly in Mamoudzou, and proceeded to affect Mozambique the following day. Chido is noted as the most powerful cyclone to strike Mayotte in over 90 years, raising concerns about the effects of climate change on tropical storms.

On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte, wreaking havoc across the French island territory. Characterized by hurricane-force winds that reached up to 225 kilometers per hour (140 miles per hour), the cyclone resulted in extensive damage, toppling trees, damaging power lines, and ripping roofs from buildings. Chido, which formed in the Indian Ocean on December 5, intensified rapidly, peaking with winds of approximately 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles per hour) before making landfall. After passing north of Madagascar, the cyclone caused significant destruction in Mamoudzou, the capital city, and impacted critical infrastructure, including the airport in Pamandzi. Subsequently, Chido continued its trajectory, impacting Mozambique on December 15 with similar wind strengths, marking it as one of the most formidable storms to affect Mayotte in over nine decades.

Cyclone Chido emerged in a conducive environment of warm sea temperatures and low wind shear in the southeastern Indian Ocean, which facilitated its rapid intensification. The cyclone reached peak intensity on December 12 as it affected the Mauritian islands before transitioning towards Mayotte. The region is no stranger to strong storms; however, Chido’s impact has been notably severe, highlighting concerns regarding climate-related weather patterns and their increasing intensity. As climate change progresses, such catastrophic weather events are projected to become more frequent, prompting fears regarding preparedness and resource allocation in susceptible areas like Mayotte and its neighboring regions.

The passage of Cyclone Chido exemplifies the increasing severity of tropical cyclones in vulnerable island regions such as Mayotte. The storm not only caused record damage during its landfall but also serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by coastal communities in the face of climate change. As the region assesses the damage and begins recovery efforts, it remains crucial to reinforce infrastructure and enhance emergency preparedness to mitigate future storm impacts.

Original Source: www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov