Mozambique in Mourning: 94 Lives Lost to Cyclone Chido’s Fury

94 Dead as Cyclone Chido Strikes: How Mozambique is Coping

Cyclone Chido has caused significant devastation in Mozambique, with the death toll rising to at least 120, according to the country’s disaster risk management agency.

The cyclone, which struck Mozambique’s Indian Ocean coastline on December 15, 2024, brought wind speeds up to 260 kilometers per hour (161.5 miles per hour).

In addition to the fatalities, approximately 768 individuals have been injured, and over 622,000 people have been affected by the disaster.

The storm has led to the destruction of over 110,000 homes, along with significant damage to infrastructure, including schools and health facilities.

In the city of Pemba, many homes, schools, and health facilities were destroyed, with communications cut off by the cyclone.

Rural areas experienced even more severe damage; for instance, in Mecúfi District, 100% of homes were damaged, and in the town of Murrebue, 99% of homes were destroyed, leaving only two schools standing.

The Mozambican government, along with international aid organizations, is actively engaged in relief and recovery efforts to support the affected populations. However, the scale of the disaster poses significant challenges to these operations.

In addition to Mozambique, Cyclone Chido has impacted other regions in southeastern Africa. In Mayotte, a French overseas territory, the cyclone resulted in at least 35 deaths and around 2,500 injuries. France observed a national day of mourning for the victims, marking the first such commemoration for a climate-related disaster since the 1950s.