At least 34 people have lost their lives in northern Mozambique as a result of Cyclone Chido, which made landfall on Sunday, bringing with it winds of approximately 260km/h (160mph). The National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) has described the situation as “heart-breaking” and warned that the death toll is likely to increase.
The cyclone has left a trail of destruction in its wake, with over 34,000 families losing their homes. Schools, health facilities, and fishing boats have also been destroyed, while electricity and communication services have been severely disrupted. State-owned power company Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) reported that around 200,000 customers are without power.
The cyclone struck northern provinces that are regularly battered by cyclones and are also plagued by attacks from Islamist militants. Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Nampula were among the areas affected, with a three-year-old girl being among the fatalities. According to INGD spokesperson Paulo Tomas, most of those killed were hit by falling objects, such as brick walls.
The situation is equally dire in the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, where Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc before making landfall in Mozambique. The official death toll on the islands has reached 21, but it is feared that hundreds of people may have lost their lives. Widespread damage to infrastructure, including downed power lines and impassable roads, is severely hindering emergency operations.
Tommaso Della Longa, a spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross, described the situation in Mayotte as catastrophic. “We are talking about the entire area, if not the whole island completely destroyed and washed away. What is really scary is the number of people that are still missing,” he told the BBC. More than 200 Red Cross volunteers are among those feared missing.
In response to the crisis, the French authorities have imposed a night-time curfew in Mayotte to prevent looting. The disaster is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of Cyclone Freddy, which struck Mozambique last year, killing over 180 people.
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