Tropical Cyclone Chido, an intense Category 3 storm, has brought significant devastation and continues to pose a serious threat to Southern Africa. Making landfall in Mozambique on the morning of December 15, Chido unleashed strong winds, torrential rains, and dangerous sea conditions, raising concerns about widespread flooding, mudslides, and infrastructure damage. Approximately 2.5 million people are in the cyclone’s projected path, including over 1.7 million in Mozambique, 440,000 in Malawi, and nearly 370,000 in the Comoros.

The cyclone’s destructive journey began with a direct hit on Mayotte on December 14, where it caused severe flooding, disrupted maritime activities, and brought winds surpassing historical cyclones such as Tropical Kamisy of 1984. In the Comoros, the storm impacted Anjouan, Mwali, and Ngazidja islands, destroying homes and leaving 11 fishermen missing. Mozambique bore the brunt of the storm on December 15, with heavy rains inundating Cabo Delgado and Niassa provinces. The system is expected to bring intense rainfall exceeding 200mm in 24 hours and waves of up to 10 meters along the coastline, with its remnants forecast to affect Malawi and parts of Zimbabwe by December 17.

Regional governments and humanitarian agencies have activated emergency response mechanisms to mitigate the impact of the cyclone. In the Comoros, national authorities implemented a cyclone-induced flood rescue plan, and the airport was closed from December 13 to 16. Mozambique’s meteorological services issued red alerts, and humanitarian partners, including the Red Cross, are prepositioning emergency supplies. In Malawi, emergency operations have commenced, with response coordination underway and key resources being allocated to high-risk areas.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is closely monitoring the situation through its Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), issuing advisories and coordinating with member states to enhance preparedness and relief efforts. The unprecedented scale of Tropical Cyclone Chido highlights the urgent need for regional cooperation and robust disaster response mechanisms to protect vulnerable communities from future extreme weather events.

[Source: OCHA Southern & Eastern Africa & The Department of Meteorological Services Botswana]