Impact and Current Status of Tropical Cyclone Chido on Southern Africa

Tropical Cyclone Chido has severely impacted Mozambique, Malawi, and the Comoros, affecting over 274,000 individuals and resulting in significant loss of life and extensive infrastructural damage. Emergency response efforts are underway, highlighting the need for immediate humanitarian assistance and improved regional preparedness for future cyclones.

Tropical Cyclone Chido has severely impacted Southern Africa, particularly Mozambique, where over 174,000 individuals have been affected, alongside 34,000 in Malawi and 64,000 in the Comoros. As the cyclone weakened into a depression, it re-entered Mozambique after crossing Malawi. Accumulating data indicates that 34 lives were lost, with injuries reported among 319 individuals and over 35,000 homes destroyed. Significant damage has been noted in infrastructure, including schools and health facilities, and assessment teams are mobilized for urgent humanitarian assistance.

In Malawi, as of 17 December, approximately 34,741 people were impacted, with a confirmed seven deaths across numerous districts. The cyclone further affected the Comoros, particularly Anjouan, resulting in infrastructural damages and agricultural losses. In Mayotte, the cyclone caused unprecedented devastation, killing 21 people and displacing around 100,000 individuals, with critical infrastructure severely damaged. Overall, the consequences of Chido have led to numerous humanitarian challenges in the affected regions, requiring immediate attention from relief organizations and local authorities.

Chido formed on 7 December in the Southeastern Indian Ocean, reached category 4 strength as a cyclone, but subsequently weakened to a depression as it moved over land. Heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding are anticipated across a broad region, including parts of southern Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, with warnings issued to communities to prepare for possible landslides and flooding due to the cyclone’s residual impacts.


Southern Africa has been increasingly vulnerable to tropical cyclones due to climatic changes and geographical factors that facilitate severe weather patterns. Cyclone Chido underscores the grave risks associated with such natural phenomena, especially in regions where infrastructure may already be compromised. Recognizing these trends, international humanitarian organizations emphasize the necessity for robust emergency response strategies, predictive capabilities, and community resilience to mitigate future impacts.

“Chido continues its progress inland with an intensity that continues to weaken.” – Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

To learn more about humanitarian activities, please visit [OCHA](https://www.unocha.org/).

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has caused extensive devastation across Mozambique, Malawi, the Comoros, and Mayotte, resulting in loss of life, injuries, and significant infrastructural damages. The events following the cyclone highlight the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and improved preparedness measures for future weather events. Active assessments and response measures are crucial to support communities in recovering from this disaster.

Tropical Cyclone Chido has been notable for its extensive impact across Southern Africa, primarily affecting Mozambique, Malawi, and the Comoros Islands. Cyclones pose considerable threats to vulnerable regions, particularly those exacerbated by environmental factors and inadequate infrastructure. The frequency and intensity of such weather events have raised alarms among humanitarian agencies, necessitating collaborative efforts for disaster response and risk reduction. As the region grapples with ongoing climatic changes, understanding the reach of Cyclone Chido is integral for effective recovery and future preparedness measures.

Tropical Cyclone Chido has generated widespread devastation across Southern Africa, affecting over 274,000 individuals in Mozambique, Malawi, and the Comoros. The storm’s aftermath has underscored existing vulnerabilities and the ongoing need for immediate humanitarian relief. With significant infrastructural damage and life losses, coordinated response efforts and long-term strategies aimed at enhancing resilience among affected communities are crucial moving forward. A shift in preparedness approaches is imperative to effectively mitigate the impacts of future cyclonic events in this vulnerable region.

Original Source: reliefweb.int