Cyclone Chido Devastates Malawi: 13 Dead and 45,000 Affected

Cyclone Chido has resulted in 13 fatalities in Malawi and has affected about 45,000 people. The storm, which previously hit Mayotte and Mozambique, weakened after traveling inland but still caused injuries and displacement. Malawi faces significant challenges due to high poverty levels amidst these ongoing natural disasters.

Cyclone Chido has tragically claimed the lives of 13 individuals in Malawi, following its earlier impact on France’s Mayotte archipelago and Mozambique, as reported by the country’s disaster management agency on Wednesday. Although the storm weakened after traveling over 500 kilometers inland, it nonetheless resulted in injuries to nearly 30 individuals and affected approximately 45,000 people while traversing Malawi on Monday, particularly striking the city of Blantyre, which hosts a population of around 800,000. “Out of the 10,159 affected households, 227 people have been displaced,” stated Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs. Malawi is recognized as one of the poorest nations globally, where an alarming 71 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty, according to World Bank data. Cyclone Chido has further resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals and injured over 1,000 in the French overseas territory of Mayotte. In Mozambique, the cyclone has led to the demise of at least 45 individuals and nearly 500 injuries, according to official reports released on Wednesday.

Cyclone Chido represents a significant natural disaster impacting Southern Africa, particularly targeting Malawi, Mozambique, and Mayotte. The cyclone initially made landfall in Mayotte, inflicting considerable damage and casualties before moving inland into Mozambique and Malawi. The adverse effects seen in Malawi, one of the world’s poorest countries, are exacerbated by the existing high rates of poverty, making recovery from such disasters particularly challenging. Humanitarian agencies often underscore the vulnerability of such nations to extreme weather events, necessitating ongoing assistance and disaster preparedness.

In conclusion, Cyclone Chido has had devastating effects across multiple countries, resulting in significant casualties and widespread displacement. The death toll has reached 13 in Malawi, with additional casualties in Mozambique and Mayotte. The impact underscores the challenges faced by Malawi, a nation already grappling with severe poverty, in adequately responding to natural disasters. Continuous international support and intervention are crucial to alleviate the suffering caused by such calamities and bolster disaster resilience within these vulnerable regions.

Original Source: www.barrons.com