Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, 2024, with winds reaching 225 km/h, causing extensive damage to the capital and the airport. Formed on December 5 in the Indian Ocean, the cyclone was the strongest to hit Mayotte in over 90 years. After Mayotte, it moved on to Mozambique, maintaining its Category 4 intensity throughout its path.
On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck the islands of Mayotte with catastrophic force, causing significant destruction across the region. The cyclone, which originated in the southeastern Indian Ocean on December 5, rapidly intensified and reached its apex as it passed near the Mauritian islands on December 11. With maximum sustained winds of 250 kilometers per hour, Chido was classified as a strong Category 4 storm, marking it as one of the most powerful cyclones to impact Mayotte in over ninety years.
As Cyclone Chido approached Mayotte from the north, it made landfall with winds of 225 kilometers per hour, resulting in widespread devastation. Reports from Météo-France and preliminary assessments from the European Union indicated severe structural damage across the eastern and northern portions of Mayotte, including the capital city, Mamoudzou, and the airport located on the island of Pamandzi. The cyclone efficiently exploited favorable atmospheric conditions, including warm sea surface temperatures and minimal vertical wind shear, thereby maintaining its intensity as it advanced through the region.
Following its impact in Mayotte, Cyclone Chido proceeded westward, subsequently making landfall in Mozambique on December 15 with similar wind velocities. This series of intense landfalls exemplifies the cyclone’s robust nature and the perilous conditions it generated, underscoring the need for improved preparedness and response strategies in the face of such natural disasters.
The phenomenon of cyclones and hurricanes is well-documented, particularly in regions like the Indian Ocean, where warm sea temperatures can significantly contribute to storm development. Cyclone Chido emerged under conducive atmospheric conditions, intensifying swiftly as it moved towards land. Historically, the island of Mayotte has experienced severe weather patterns, but the impact of Cyclone Chido stands out due to its unprecedented strength and resultant damage. Understanding the dynamics of Cyclone Chido requires an awareness of the environmental factors that facilitated its rapid escalation and its consequences on island communities.
In summary, Cyclone Chido represents a significant event in the history of meteorological phenomena affecting Mayotte, being the most powerful cyclone to strike the island in over nine decades. The storm not only devastated Mayotte but also continued its destructive path into Mozambique, highlighting the imperative for vigilant monitoring and comprehensive disaster preparedness. As climate patterns shift, such events may become more commonplace, necessitating timely responses to protect vulnerable populations and infrastructure.
Original Source: www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov
