Cyclone Chido hit the French territory of Mayotte on December 15, causing widespread destruction and claiming hundreds of lives
Cyclone Chido hit the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean on December 15, causing widespread destruction and claiming over hundreds of lives, as per a BBC report. With wind speeds surpassing 225 km/h (140 mph), the storm devastated entire settlements, particularly affecting makeshift shelters, including undocumented migrants. These vulnerable communities were left without access to food, water and shelter.
The cyclone's widespread damage to infrastructure, including downed power lines and impassable roads, reportedly obstructed emergency response efforts. Rescue workers, including reinforcements from France, have been tirelessly searching for survivors. The situation has been grave, with Mayotte's population already struggling with poverty and unemployment. As per the BBC report, nearly 75 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line and unemployment rates hover at around one in three.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the victims and survivors of Cyclone Chido, calling them 'compatriots.' Macron was quoted as saying that his thoughts were with the people of Mayotte, "who have gone through the most horrific few hours and who have, for some, lost everything, lost their lives". While some aid has reached the island, many areas are still cut off and rescue efforts are ongoing.
The 2024 hurricane season has been marked by an alarming trend of more intense and frequent storms, with 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher), stated the UN News. This season marks the ninth consecutive year of above-average storm activity in the Atlantic Basin.
“Year after year, the climate crisis continues to break new records, resulting in more extreme weather events, including rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones, intense rainfall, and flooding,” said Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization.
In July 2024, Hurricane Beryl made history as the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic. Despite causing widespread devastation in the Caribbean, Beryl claimed fewer lives, thanks to improvements in early warning systems.
As of November 2024, as many as 12 named storms had formed globally, as per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This is significantly higher than the usual eight storms during this month (based on the 1991-2020 average), it added. Of these, six reached tropical cyclone strength (with winds of 74 mph and above) and five became major tropical cyclones (winds of 111 mph and above). As a result, the global accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) for November was 180 per cent above the normal level, revealed the November 2024 Tropical Cyclones Report.
As per the report, there were at least three storms in the Atlantic Basin above Category 1 in November. Besides, tropical storm Patty brought gusty winds and rain to the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic region. Category 3 Hurricane Rafael caused largescale damage in Cuba and almost reached rare major storm status in the Gulf of Mexico. That's not all, the tropical storm Sara brought heavy rains and flooding to Central America, leaving widespread damage.
The Indian Ocean too recorded various cyclones this year. Cyclone Filipo formed in the Mozambique Channel resulting in strong winds and heavy rain on coast of Mozambique. In the South Indian Ocean, intense tropical cyclone Bheki reached Category 4 strength with winds of 130 mph, affecting the Mauritius islands. Cyclone Belal in January 2024 hit Réunion and Mauritius causing heavy rain and flooding to the region.
The 2024 hurricane season has underscored the alarming impact of the climate crisis, which is intensifying tropical cyclones. Rising global temperatures are causing storms to strengthen faster, bringing heavier rainfall and more frequent flooding. Despite decreasing fatalities, due to better early warning systems and improved infrastructure, the economic losses from these storms have increased sharply, as per the United Nations (UN).
According to a UN report, four hurricanes in the US caused damage exceeding $1 billion each in 2024. However, small island nations like those in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean remain particularly vulnerable to storm damage, despite having a robust early warning system.
As Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 15, neighbouring islands like the Comoros took to social media calling for urgent international assistance. Like Mayotte, the Comoros Islands have been severely impacted by the increasing severity of cyclones, with small island nations in the region consistently facing massive destruction from these storms.
The year 2024 calls for an urgent need for coordinated global action to address the escalating climate crisis by strengthening resilience among vulnerable regions and their capacity to deal with recurrent intense storms.