Cyclone Chido has caused widespread devastation in Mozambique, claiming 94 lives and injuring 768 people since its landfall last week. According to the country’s National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD), the cyclone has impacted more than 622,000 individuals in various capacities.
A Storm of Unprecedented Strength
The cyclone struck Mozambique with devastating winds reaching 260 km/h (160 mph) and heavy rainfall measuring 250mm within the first 24 hours. Before reaching Mozambique, Cyclone Chido caused destruction in Mayotte, a French Indian Ocean territory, before moving on to Malawi and Zimbabwe.
In Mozambique, the storm severely impacted northern provinces, including Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Nampula. These regions, frequently hit by cyclones, faced significant damage to infrastructure and essential services.
Widespread Damage to Social Infrastructure
The cyclone heavily disrupted education and healthcare services. INGD reports that over 109,793 students were affected due to the destruction of school facilities. Additionally, 52 healthcare units sustained damage, further limiting access to critical health services in regions already underserved before the disaster.
Government Response and Recovery Efforts
Daniel Chapo, a leader in Mozambique’s ruling party, confirmed that the government is mobilizing support at all levels to address the cyclone’s aftermath. During a visit to Cabo Delgado—one of the hardest-hit areas—Chapo emphasized the government’s collaboration with INGD to aid recovery efforts in regions like Mecúfi, Nampula, Memba, and Niassa.
Mayotte’s Catastrophic Impact
Cyclone Chido also caused significant devastation in Mayotte, marking the worst storm in 90 years for the archipelago. The official death toll in Mayotte has risen to 35, but local authorities warn that the number could increase as assessments continue. Officials estimate fatalities may climb to several hundred or even thousands.
Relief efforts include deploying over 1,300 officers and establishing an air bridge to transport supplies from Mayotte, Reunion, and mainland France. To date, more than 80 tonnes of food and 50 tonnes of water have been distributed to affected residents, many of whom remain without access to basic necessities like running water.
Cyclone Chido and Climate Change
The destruction caused by Cyclone Chido highlights the increasing vulnerability of social infrastructure to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. Rising global temperatures have been linked to heightened precipitation and stronger tropical cyclones. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has noted high confidence in human activities contributing to these changes.
Building Resilient Systems for the Future
The INGD has emphasized the importance of resilient planning to mitigate the impacts of future natural disasters. “This cyclone underscores the critical need for sustainable infrastructure and coordinated disaster management,” the agency stated.
As Mozambique and other affected regions begin to recover, the focus remains on rebuilding communities and implementing measures to better withstand future climate-related disasters.
