Cyclone Chido brought severe winds and heavy rainfall on Sunday, demolishing buildings in northern Mozambique.
Officials said Cyclone Chido brought severe winds and heavy rainfall on Sunday, demolishing buildings in northern Mozambique, but weakened as it moved inland after causing death and destruction in France’s Indian Ocean territory, Mayotte.
Authorities stated that the cyclone struck the northern coastal provinces of Nampula and Cabo Delgado in Mozambique on Saturday morning, damaging buildings and causing power outages in some areas.
The Mozambique Meteorological Office reported that thunderstorms and strong winds were expected to bring rainfall at speeds of up to 260 kilometers per hour (160 miles) in some provinces.
It was reported that more than 250 millimeters (10 inches) of rainfall were expected within 24 hours.
“Damage Already Recorded”
In a statement from ActionAid Mozambique, it was said, “In Cabo Delgado, damages such as wall and roof collapses were recorded.”
The NGO mentioned that significant impact was expected in the Memba region of Nampula, where the cyclone made landfall, but the region was inaccessible.
“There is no electricity in many neighborhoods in Nampula province, which makes gathering information difficult,” it was stated.
UNICEF said, “Many homes, schools, and health facilities have been partially or completely destroyed.”
Weakened
The statement mentioned that an impact assessment had been conducted, and medications, water purification supplies, and other essential needs would be delivered.
Luisa Meque, the head of the National Institute for Disaster Risk and Management, said that Chido passed over Niassa province in the afternoon and weakened as it moved inland.
She mentioned that the institute had not been able to reach all the regions to assess the situation.
Authorities warned that Chido’s intensity was similar to that of Cyclone Gombe, which caused over 60 deaths in Mozambique in 2022, and Cyclone Freddy, which caused 86 deaths in 2023.
Expected to Reach Malawi
According to UN figures, Freddy claimed 326 lives in Malawi.
Chido is expected to reach Malawi on Monday, bringing significant rainfall to the drought-stricken country. Zimbabwe has also issued a warning for heavy rainfall associated with the cyclone.
Officials announced on Sunday that the cyclone had caused at least 14 deaths in Mayotte, and the full toll was expected to be confirmed in a few days.
