The Indian Ocean islands of Comoros, Madagascar, and Mayotte are preparing for the arrival of Cyclone Chido, a powerful tropical storm expected to hit the region and parts of mainland Africa in the coming days.
Authorities in Comoros ordered schools to shut ahead of Chido’s expected arrival early Saturday. Before making landfall in Comoros, the cyclone is forecasted to pass near northern Madagascar. The French territory of Mayotte, south of Comoros, has been placed on red alert by France’s national weather service, starting Friday night.
Mozambique has also issued a red alert for its northern provinces, Cabo Delgado and Nampula, warning that over two million people could be affected when Chido strikes the mainland early Sunday. The Mozambique National Meteorological Institute predicts winds of up to 200 kph (124 mph).
“We estimate that approximately 2.5 million people in Cabo Delgado and Nampula could be impacted and may require rescue,” said Ana Cristina, director of Mozambique’s National Emergency Operations Center, as quoted by local media.
The cyclone’s effects are expected to reach landlocked Zimbabwe as well.
In Madagascar, authorities have issued warnings via cellphone alerts and radio broadcasts, urging people to take precautions. Evacuations began in the northern Diana region, where nearly 20,000 residents are expected to feel the brunt of Chido’s impact. Emergency supplies, including food, water pumps, generators, and chainsaws, have been delivered to the region since Tuesday.
France is deploying a team of 110 emergency workers to Mayotte, including firefighters from nearby Réunion and specialists in search-and-rescue operations. The Interior Ministry also confirmed the delivery of three tons of emergency equipment, such as rescue dogs and tools for recovering people trapped in debris.
Cyclone season in the Indian Ocean, which lasts from December to March, has become increasingly severe. Recent years have seen destructive storms like Cyclone Idai in 2019, which killed over 1,300 people, and Cyclone Freddy in 2023, which left over 1,000 dead across multiple countries.
Experts attribute the intensifying cyclones to climate change. Crisis24, a risk management firm, warned that Cyclone Chido could trigger flooding, landslides, and stagnant water, potentially leading to outbreaks of cholera, dengue fever, and malaria.
Preparations are underway across the region as authorities brace for the storm’s impact.