Cyclone Chido brutally claims 94 lives in Mozambique

Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique on December 15, 2024, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The cyclone, which had already devastated the French island territory of Mayotte before making landfall, resulted in at least 94 confirmed deaths in Mozambique. The National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management reported that 768 individuals were injured and over 622,000 people were affected to varying degrees by the disaster. The storm brought winds reaching up to 260 kilometers per hour and heavy rainfall of 250 millimeters within the first day, primarily impacting the northern provinces, including Cabo Delgado. As the cyclone advanced, it not only destroyed thousands of homes but also severely affected the education and health sectors of the region. Over 109,793 students faced disruptions in their schooling, and several health facilities were damaged, complicating access to medical services. The province of Cabo Delgado, already struggling with an ongoing Islamist insurgency, became the worst hit, housing almost all the affected individuals. Despite the challenges, the ruling Frelimo party's candidate, Daniel Chapo, vowed to provide support for recovery efforts, urging citizens to donate food and clothes. The aftermath of Cyclone Chido also exacerbated existing tensions within Mozambique, where the ruling party is navigating a post-election crisis. Chapo’s victory was contested, with significant protests taking place due to allegations of electoral fraud. The government deployed over 1,300 officers to assist in the aftermath, yet widespread shortages of basic necessities continued to plague the affected areas. Outside of Mozambique, the cyclone had previously caused substantial distress in Mayotte, resulting in 35 deaths and thousands of injuries, with concerns for the undocumented migrants living in precarious conditions on the island. After passing through Mozambique, Cyclone Chido moved into Malawi, where it killed an additional 13 people. Unfortunately, the cyclone's effects were felt amid one of the worst droughts southern Africa has faced in a century, leaving communities to wrestle with both the storm's toll and the ongoing food and water crises.