The Indian Ocean islands of Comoros, Madagascar, and Mayotte are bracing for the imminent arrival of Cyclone Chido, an intense tropical storm barreling toward Africa’s east coast. The storm, forecasted to bring destructive winds and heavy rainfall, has triggered emergency responses across the region.
Comoros Prepares for Landfall
In Comoros, a small archipelago, authorities ordered schools to close as Cyclone Chido is expected to hit early Saturday. The northern tip of Madagascar is anticipated to experience the cyclone’s impact beforehand. Meanwhile, Mayotte, a French overseas territory south of Comoros, has been placed on red alert by the French national weather service, with warnings taking effect Friday night.
Madagascar Takes Precautionary Measures
In Madagascar, northern areas such as the Diana region are expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Alerts have been sent via cellphones and radio since Thursday, urging residents to take safety measures. Authorities have issued an imminent danger warning and are conducting evacuations in vulnerable areas, with nearly 20,000 people projected to be affected.
To prepare for the cyclone, Madagascar’s government has been distributing food supplies and emergency equipment, including water pumps, generators, and chainsaws, to impacted regions since Tuesday.
Mayotte Mobilizes Resources
In Mayotte, the French government has deployed 110 emergency workers, including firefighters from nearby Reunion Island and specialists trained in rubble rescues. Three tons of emergency equipment, including search dogs, have also been sent to assist with potential damage caused by the cyclone.
Mozambique Issues Warnings
On the African mainland, Mozambique has declared a red alert for its northern provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula. The Mozambique National Meteorological Institute forecasts winds of up to 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph) when Cyclone Chido makes landfall early Sunday.
Ana Cristina, director of the National Emergency Operations Center, warned that up to 2.5 million people in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces could be affected, emphasizing the need for rescue and emergency operations.
Regional Impact Beyond the Coast
Even landlocked Zimbabwe is expected to experience adverse weather conditions as a result of Cyclone Chido. The storm’s wide reach underscores the potential for widespread damage and disruption across multiple countries.
A Cyclone-Prone Region
The Indian Ocean region frequently endures powerful cyclones during the December-to-March season. Recent years have seen increasingly severe storms, with Cyclone Idai in 2019 killing over 1,300 people in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Cyclone Freddy in 2022 left more than 1,000 dead across several countries.
Climate studies suggest that rising global temperatures are intensifying these storms, making them more destructive and deadly.
Health and Environmental Risks
Crisis24, a risk management firm, has warned of the potential for devastating flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Chido. Additionally, stagnant water left in the storm’s aftermath could trigger outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera, dengue fever, and malaria—similar to what occurred after Cyclone Idai.
Final Thoughts
As Cyclone Chido approaches, the affected regions are on high alert, mobilizing resources and implementing safety measures to mitigate the impact. The storm highlights the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather events, further exacerbated by climate change, and the urgent need for preparedness and resilience in vulnerable communities.
