The French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean was hit by Cyclone Dikeledi on January 12 resulting in heavy rains, strong winds, flooding and mudslides, just a month after Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc on the islands.
The archipelago was placed on red alert on the night of January 11, with officials warning of violent winds, flash floods and landslides. The alert is expected to remain in place until the evening of January 13.
Three people died in nearby Madagascar after Cyclone Dikeledi hit Madagascar on January 11, reported Associate Press. Parts of northern Madagascar were also placed under red alert.
Videos circulating on social media showed downed power lines and submerged streets, with reports of significant flooding in multiple areas. Notably, the southern village of Mbouini, which was left untouched during Cyclone Chido, is now submerged under water, reported BBC.
Although the cyclone passed approximately 100 km (62 miles) south of Mayotte, its sheer size and intensity caused catastrophic damage, reported French meteorological service Meteo-France.
Still Reeling from Cyclone Chido
Mayotte, an archipelago located off the east coast of Africa, is still recovering from the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido. The Category 4 storm, which struck on December 14 in 2024, was reportedly the worst to hit the territory in 90 years. Cyclone Chido brought winds of up to 260 km/h (160 mph), leaving 39 people dead, over 200 missing and more than 5,000 injured, as per Associate Press.
The cyclone passed approximately 100 km (62 miles) south of Mayotte, but its sheer size and intensity caused catastrophic damage, reported forecaster Météo-France. The aftermath of the storm left thousands homeless, with recovery efforts only beginning to take shape before this latest bout of extreme weather.
Cyclone Season Prediction
Météo-France La Réunion, World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre for the South-West Indian Ocean, had previously warned of an early and active cyclone season for 2024-2025. The seasonal forecast, issued on October 31, indicated an early start to the cyclone season, predicting the possibility of extreme weather events before the end of 2024.
The forecast projected near-normal to above-normal activity, with 9 to 13 systems expected, four to seven of which could reach tropical cyclone status. This outlook highlights the region’s growing vulnerability to frequent and intense cyclones, emphasising the need for climate-resilient infrastructure and better disaster preparedness.
The recent dual impacts of Cyclone Chido and the heavy rains that followed underline the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events in the region. According to the UN's climate body, IPCC, warming global temperatures are expected to drive an increase in both the average peak wind speeds of cyclones and the proportion of the most severe Category 4 and 5 storms worldwide.
