The death toll from Cyclone Chido has now risen to at least 94 in Mozambique, with the storm leaving behind a trail of devastation in its wake, according to the country’s disaster management agency. The cyclone, which tore through the Indian Ocean last week, has not only caused a humanitarian crisis but also intensified political tensions in the country.
Cyclone Chido, which had already ravaged the French island territory of Mayotte, made landfall in Mozambique, unleashing winds of up to 260 kilometers per hour (160 mph) and dumping 250 millimeters (10 inches) of rain within a single day. The storm destroyed approximately 110,000 homes, severely affecting over 620,000 people. The hardest-hit areas were in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, a region already struggling with the ongoing threat of an Islamist insurgency.
The cyclone’s impact is particularly severe as it comes amidst Mozambique’s political unrest following controversial election results. The ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, who is set to be sworn in as president on January 15, faces widespread accusations of electoral fraud. The protests that have erupted in response to the elections have already resulted in at least 130 deaths, according to civil society group Plataforma Decide. The group has also cited Amnesty International’s figures.
The protests, sparked by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane’s allegations of irregularities in the October elections, have paralyzed the country’s main urban centers, with power plants and other facilities shutting down. There have been reports of police using live ammunition to suppress the demonstrations.
Despite these tensions, Chapo has appealed to the citizens of Mozambique for donations of food and clothes to assist the cyclone victims. Speaking on public television, he urged people to share whatever they could: “Even if we are using them, our brothers need them.”
The cyclone’s destruction has been compounded by the devastating drought affecting southern Africa, one of the worst the region has seen in a century. Experts say that climate change has exacerbated the intensity of these storms.
After striking Mozambique, Cyclone Chido continued its deadly path into Malawi, where it claimed the lives of 13 people and injured nearly 30. Malawi, too, is grappling with the impacts of severe drought.
A Region in Crisis
Mozambique, which remains the country with the heaviest death toll from Cyclone Chido, is now bracing for further challenges as it struggles to rebuild amidst the dual crises of natural disaster and political unrest. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as the toll of the storm continues to rise, particularly in Mozambique and the nearby Comoros Islands.
As recovery efforts ramp up in the affected areas, the death toll and the total number of displaced persons are expected to grow in the coming days. The country’s ability to rebuild will depend on both international aid and national efforts to address the widespread destruction.
The death toll in Mayotte, where the cyclone first struck, also stands at 35, with some 2,500 people injured. Local authorities fear that the toll may rise sharply due to the significant number of undocumented migrants living in the shantytowns in Mayotte that were flattened by the storm.
The devastating effects of Cyclone Chido serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by southern African nations in the face of climate change, political turmoil, and a series of devastating natural disasters.
Sources By Agencies
