Cyclone Chido Strikes Mayotte: Unprecedented Storm Devastates French Island

Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte on December 14, 2024, marking the strongest storm to impact the French island in over 90 years, with reports of potential fatalities reaching close to one thousand. The storm caused extensive damage to infrastructure, leading UNICEF to call for urgent additional support. The event highlights the intensifying humanitarian crises faced by regions susceptible to devastating cyclones.

On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck the French island of Mayotte, resulting in catastrophic consequences, including the loss of potentially up to a thousand lives, as stated by Mayotte Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville. Classified by meteorologists as the most powerful storm to impact the islands in over 90 years, Chido has also affected surrounding areas, including the Comoros and Madagascar. As an island with a population exceeding 300,000, Mayotte faces significant challenges stemming from a history of drought, underinvestment, and violence. With substantial infrastructure damage reported—including homes, educational institutions, and health services—the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) emphasized the urgent need for additional support following the destruction.

Cyclone Chido’s emergence is a tragic reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of cyclones in the Indian Ocean, particularly during the cyclone season from December to March. The historical context of Mayotte as a French colony since 1843 highlights the ongoing socio-economic challenges faced by its residents. Furthermore, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that global warming is likely to exacerbate cyclone conditions, leading to higher rainfall and wind speeds, thus intensifying the humanitarian crises in vulnerable regions.

In conclusion, the devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido serves as a clarion call for increased international support for Mayotte and other vulnerable regions grappling with the repercussions of climate change. With potentially thousands of lives lost and critical infrastructure shattered, immediate relief efforts are imperative. The situation underscores the urgency for a collaborative response to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term strategies in combating the effects of global warming on cyclone intensity.

Original Source: news.sky.com