Tropical Cyclone Chido’s Catastrophic Impact on Mayotte

Tropical Cyclone Chido, the strongest in Mayotte in over 90 years, made landfall on December 14, 2024, causing at least 22 deaths and 1,500 injuries. The cyclone severely damaged infrastructure, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities among the island’s population, particularly affecting 40% of residents living in precarious housing conditions.

On December 5, 2024, Tropical Depression Chido formed in the southeast Indian Ocean and later intensified into a moderate tropical storm. By December 12, Chido reached its peak intensity as a Category 4 cyclone, with winds topping 250 km/h. It made landfall on Mayotte on December 14, causing catastrophic damage. By December 18, reports indicated at least 22 fatalities and 1,500 injuries, with the potential for higher figures as many remain unaccounted for amid ongoing relief operations.

Tropical Cyclone Chido has been described as the most powerful storm to strike Mayotte in over nine decades, inflicting severe damage on essential infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, transportation links, and utilities such as electricity and water supplies. The storm has particularly impacted residential areas where pre-existing vulnerabilities were already apparent—approximately 40% of the housing stock in Mayotte was in poor condition before the cyclone struck. This adverse event has exacerbated the plight of approximately 100,000 residents living in precarious conditions, constituting a third of the island’s population. Official estimates suggest that Mayotte has around 320,000 inhabitants, though the actual number may include an additional 200,000 individuals from irregular migrant backgrounds, principally hailing from the Comoros archipelago.

Tropical Cyclone Chido represents a significant climatic event in the Indian Ocean region, notable for its unprecedented strength and catastrophic impacts on Mayotte, a French overseas department. The cyclone’s rapid development and intensity highlight the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather patterns linked to climate change. The socio-economic implications are profound given the vulnerability of many residents whose housing conditions were already substandard prior to the disaster. The situation necessitates urgent humanitarian responses to address immediate needs and facilitate recovery efforts.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has resulted in extensive devastation in Mayotte, marking a critical point in the island’s climatic history. With significant loss of life, injuries, and infrastructure damage, the storm necessitates a coordinated humanitarian response. Moving forward, addressing the existing vulnerabilities within the housing sector and improving disaster resilience will be imperative for safeguarding the population against future climate-related threats.

Original Source: reliefweb.int