A powerful tropical storm is heading toward Africa's east coast, prompting widespread evacuations and emergency alerts across the Indian Ocean region as authorities brace for significant damage.
Cyclone Chido is expected to affect several countries, including Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, and Mozambique, with a possible impact on Zimbabwe.
As of Friday, authorities in Comoros, a small archipelago off the coast of Mozambique, ordered school closures and warned residents to prepare for Chido's arrival, which is forecasted for early Saturday.
The storm is expected to pass the northern tip of Madagascar before reaching the French overseas territory of Mayotte, located south of Comoros.
Where Will Cyclone Chido Hit?
The French national weather service issued a red alert for Mayotte, its highest warning level, starting Friday night.
Mozambique has also issued a red alert for its northern provinces, Cabo Delgado and Nampula, which could be severely impacted when Chido makes landfall on Sunday.
The country's National Meteorological Institute predicted winds of up to 124 miles per hour, with the cyclone potentially affecting up to 2.5 million people.
"We estimate that around 2.5 million people in the affected provinces will need assistance and possible evacuation," said Ana Cristina, director of Mozambique's National Emergency Operations Center.
Even landlocked Zimbabwe is expected to feel the storm's impact, with local authorities preparing for possible flooding and landslides.
In Madagascar, where the cyclone is expected to strike hardest in the northern Diana region, authorities have issued warnings via phone alerts and radio broadcasts.
How Many People Will Be Affected by Cyclone Chido?
Evacuations are underway, with some 20,000 people expected to be directly impacted.
The government has been delivering emergency supplies, including water pumps and generators, since earlier this week.
In Mayotte, the French government is sending 110 emergency personnel, including firefighters and rescue specialists, as well as three tons of essential equipment.
This includes search dogs and teams trained to rescue people from collapsed buildings as the island braces for severe damage.
Impact of Climate Change
Cyclone Chido is the latest in a series of strong storms to hit the region during the cyclone season, which runs from December to March.
The past few years have seen devastating storms, including Cyclone Idai in 2019, which killed more than 1,300 people in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
Experts say that climate change is exacerbating the intensity and frequency of these storms.
Crisis24, a risk management firm, warned that Chido could lead to widespread flooding and landslides, with stagnant water posing risks for deadly outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, malaria, and dengue fever.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
English (US) ·