Tropical Cyclone Chido has significantly impacted Southern Africa, affecting around 2.5 million people as it makes landfall in Mozambique. With severe weather conditions expected, including heavy rainfall and high seas, officials in Mozambique and Malawi are preparing for the cyclone’s effects. Regional authorities are coordinating response efforts to mitigate the impact of the storm.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has made landfall in Mozambique, significantly affecting Southern Africa, with around 2.5 million individuals exposed to its effects. Initially striking Mayotte with severe wind conditions, the cyclone is expected to impact northern Mozambique on December 15. In the Comoros, it has caused considerable destruction, leading to emergency services activating rescue protocols, particularly in Anjouan and Ngazidja, where homes were destroyed and 11 fishers went missing.
In preparation for Chido’s arrival, Mozambique has issued red alerts for the Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces. Humanitarian organizations are mobilizing to distribute supplies and carry out assessments as the cyclone is predicted to produce extreme conditions, including rainfall between 100 to 200mm in a 12 to 24-hour span and wave heights reaching between 6 to 10 meters.
Malawi is bracing for the cyclone’s remnants on December 15 and 16, with 24 southern districts at risk of severe rainfall, flash floods, and violent winds. The government activated its Emergency Operation Centre to facilitate coordination at the district level. Regional authorities, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), are actively monitoring Chido’s trajectory, providing updates, and advocating for preparedness measures, including public awareness campaigns and the pre-positioning of relief supplies.
The cyclone is projected to weaken progressively as it approaches Zimbabwe by December 17, with the possibility of heavy rains affecting countries such as Angola, Botswana, DRC, Eswatini, Tanzania, and South Africa, necessitating ongoing vigilance among regional authorities and populations.
Tropical Cyclone Chido presents a severe challenge in Southern Africa, with ramifications for numerous nations. The cyclone’s trajectory has raised alarm due to the potential for widespread flooding and infrastructural damage, particularly as it approaches landfall in densely populated areas. As it moves through the region, its impact threatens not only immediate coastal zones but also further inland as it dissipates, emphasizing the necessity for regional preparedness and response strategies.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido poses an imminent threat to Southern Africa, impacting millions in its projected path. Mozambique and Malawi are preparing for severe weather conditions as rescue efforts continue in affected areas such as the Comoros. Regional authorities are unifying in their efforts to mitigate the effects of this cyclone while emphasizing the importance of community preparedness and resilient infrastructure to withstand such natural disasters in the future.
Original Source: allafrica.com
