Tropical Cyclone Chido, which formed over the southeastern Indian Ocean, is poised to cause significant devastation as it approaches the east coast of Africa. Affecting several countries across the region, close to 2.7 million people may find their lives disrupted. This includes populations from Comoros (368,508), Madagascar (135,838), Malawi (440,479), Mauritius (225), Mozambique (1,753,234), and Seychelles (16), according to the Automated Disaster Analysis and Mapping by WFP.
The cyclone, initially categorized as Tropical Depression on December 7, escalated to include hazardous wind speeds reaching up to 121 mph, making it equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane before it weakened slightly to Category 3. It’s expected to maintain this intensity as it follows its west-southwest path, set to make landfall near Pemba, Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique on December 15.
Heavy rains accompanied by fierce wind gusts are forecasted to inundate regions, particularly where conditions are already precarious. For example, UNICEF expressed grave concern over the vulnerability of Cabo Delgado, where impoverished populations rely on minimal necessities such as clean water and sanitation.
Preparations have intensified across the affected nations. Mozambique's National Emergency Operations Center has stated, "We estimate around 2.5 million people will need assistance and possible evacuation.” Such projections underline the anticipated impact the cyclone will have.
On the ground, emergency measures commenced with advisories to at-risk communities being disseminated, warnings issued, and humanitarian supplies repositioned. The cyclone’s wake may grip several districts, particularly targeting southern Malawi's eleven districts. Alongside expected flooding, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs urged residents to seek higher ground as part of precautionary evacuations.
Governments and NGOs have been collaborating closely to mobilize resources and personnel for those directly affected. According to Chipiliro Khamula, spokesperson for Malawi's Department of Disaster Management Affairs, "We have alerted all councils and activated all clusters for swift preparatory actions." This response highlights the speed at which authorities are mobilizing resources to mitigate worsening conditions.
Cyclone Chido has precedents, with similar severe storms including Cyclones Freddy and Gombe devastating the same regions previously. These historical incidents reveal the dire need for readiness and reflect the growing impact of climate change on cyclonic activity, contributing to severe storms becoming more frequent and intense across the southern hemisphere.
Further east, the projected path of Chido anticipates crossing near Madagascar, where the National Office for Risk and Catastrophe Management is also on alert, preparing potential evacuations and resource mobilization. Communication efforts utilize SMS, radio, and television to inform communities of changing conditions and necessary precautions.
There are additional concerns, as static water could amplify the risks for disease outbreaks such as cholera, malaria, and dengue fever, as pointed out by Crisis24, emphasizing the long-term impact of stagnant water on public health. Authorities are coordinating humanitarian aid, ensuring clean water access and medical supplies are ready to deploy.
The operational challenges are magnified by continued rainfall and potential addendums from other weather systems, as Angola, Botswana, DRC, and Eswatini anticipate heavy precipitation affecting their regional climates from the influence of Cyclone Chido.
While the cyclone is poised to impact numerous nations, there remains hope as communities unite and prepare. The Red Cross and other disaster response teams have been mobilizing resources, conducting awareness-raising campaigns, and ensuring families understand the need for preventative actions—since access to shelter could become strained.
Across affected areas, the actions taken now will dictate outcomes amid one of the most turbulent storm seasons seen recently. With all eyes set on Cyclone Chido, humanitarian partners will adapt strategies to meet needs as they arise, reinforcing shelter systems and ensuring evacuation pathways are clear and coordinated.
Chido's arrival resonates as both alarm and opportunity: alarm for the challenge it presents, and opportunity for solidarity among nations responding through support and coordination. Understanding the cycles of nature and the community spirit needed to withstand such trials emphasizes the resilience found within the most vulnerable regions.
With heavy rains, winds of up to 120 km/h, and risks of flooding, Cyclone Chido’s impending landfall poses serious threats. Communities braced for impact reflect both the urgency of response but also the pressing need for global awareness about climate dynamics.
