Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, 2023, with winds exceeding 200 km/h, causing unprecedented destruction and loss of life. Despite timely warnings issued by Météo-France, the small island was ill-prepared for such intense storms. Chido later impacted Mozambique and Malawi before weakening. The role of climate change in this event remains unclear, although predictions for the upcoming cyclone season indicate potential for further intense storms in the region.
On December 14, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte, achieving wind speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and gusts surpassing 225 kilometers per hour, marking it as the strongest storm to impact the island in nearly a century as per Météo-France. It delivered torrential rain, measuring 176 mm within a 12-hour period, alongside perilous sea conditions with wave heights averaging over 5 meters. The cyclone’s ferocity was such that it even damaged some of Météo-France’s observational infrastructure.
In response to the disaster, French President Emmanuel Macron proclaimed a national day of mourning as initial reports indicated the potential loss of hundreds of lives in Mayotte. The island, known for lacking resilience against such severe tropical cyclones, faced substantial destruction, predominantly impacting informal housing structures. Despite Météo-France issuing precise warnings 50 hours prior, including an amber alert on December 13 and escalating to a rarely issued violet alert on December 14, the cyclone’s impact was devastating.
Chido followed a distinctive path, bypassing Madagascar, which could have possibly diminished its strength. Instead, the cyclone directly engulfed Mayotte before making landfall over Mozambique on December 15, where it began to weaken but continued to bring heavy rainfall to neighboring Malawi as well. Notably, Météo-France suggested that while the cyclone’s impacts were significant, the influence of climate change on its trajectory and intensity remains ambiguous.
Météo-France stated, “The impacts of Chido are above all due to its track and the direct hit on Mayotte. This is an extremely rare event not seen for 90 years. Our current state of knowledge doesn’t allow us to draw any conclusions about the role of climate change on the track of the cyclone and on its intensity.” Furthermore, the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) forecast for the region had accurately anticipated an early start to the cyclone season, predicting above-normal activity with a potential for 9 to 13 systems, including four to seven that may escalate to tropical cyclone strength.
The article discusses the catastrophic impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido on Mayotte, a small island in the Indian Ocean which experienced unprecedented storm conditions. It contextualizes this meteorological event within a historical framework, noting that such significant storms have not been recorded in the region for about 90 years. Additionally, it examines the responses from local and national authorities in the face of this disaster, while also addressing the uncertainties around climate change’s role in influencing the cyclone’s severity.
The occurrence of Tropical Cyclone Chido has highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by Mayotte in the face of such extreme weather events. Despite early warnings issued by Météo-France, the island suffered severe damage and loss of life, emphasizing the need for enhanced preparedness for future cyclones. The incident has sparked discussions regarding the implications of climate change on the frequency and intensity of such storms, although definitive conclusions remain elusive. As forecasts predict an active cyclone season ahead, it is crucial for authorities to implement robust emergency response strategies.
Original Source: wmo.int
