In brief
Cyclone Chido has resulted in at least 34 confirmed deaths in northern Mozambique, with hundreds feared dead in Mayotte. The storm has caused widespread destruction, displacing over 34,000 families while communication and electrical services are in disarray.
At least 34 people have perished in Mozambique following the ferocious impact of Cyclone Chido, regarded as one of the most powerful storms in recent history, as reported by the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD). The cyclone made landfall on Sunday, having already caused considerable destruction in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. Sadly, the tragedy continues to escalate, with officials fearing the death toll will increase as search and rescue operations proceed.The death toll in Mayotte stands at 21, but officials speculate that it could rise dramatically as the scale of the destruction unfolds. Many residents are still unaccounted for, including over 200 Red Cross volunteers. Tommaso Della Longa, a representative of the International Federation of Red Cross, described the situation by sharing his concerns about the “entire area” of Mayotte being destroyed and inhabitants still missing. The cyclone has particularly affected the vulnerable undocumented immigrant population in Mayotte, many of whom stayed away from shelters for fear of expulsion.In Mozambique, thousands of families have been displaced by Cyclone Chido, which unleashed winds of approximately 260 km/h (160 mph). The INGD reported that most casualties occurred from falling objects, particularly bricks from collapsing structures. The cyclone's impact on critical infrastructure has been severe, with nearly 200,000 residents left without electricity due to damage to power lines and facilities. Communication systems have also been disrupted, compounding the challenges faced by emergency responders.Chido struck predominantly in Cabo Delgado, a region frequently battered by cyclones and currently grappling with violent attacks from Islamist militants. As the disaster continues to unfold, locals reminisce about last year's Cyclone Freddy, which had already devastated the region and resulted in over 180 deaths, as documented by the World Meteorological Organization. Authorities in Mayotte have enforced a night-time curfew in an attempt to mitigate looting among the wreckage. The situation remains critical as citizens and authorities alike grapple with the devastation left in Cyclone Chido's wake.
