{{Short description|South-West Indian Ocean cyclone in 2024}} {{Redirect|Chido|notable people with this given name|Chido (name)|the place in Tibet|List of populated places in the Tibet Autonomous Region}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox weather event | name = Intense Tropical Cyclone Chido | image = Chido 2024-12-12 1000Z.jpg | caption = Cyclone Chido at peak intensity on 12 December. | formed = 5 December 2024 | dissipated = 16 December 2024 }}{{Infobox weather event/MFR | winds = 115 | pressure = 935 }}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC | winds = 135 | pressure = 929 }}{{Infobox weather event/Effects | year = 2024 | damage-prefix = | damages = 3900000000 | damages-suffix = <br/> (Costliest tropical cyclone in the South-West Indian Ocean basin) | fatalities = 173 | injuries = 5,194 | missing = 41 | affected = {{flatlist| * Mauritius (particularly Agaléga) * Seychelles (particularly Farquhar) * northern Madagascar * French Southern and Antarctic Lands (particularly the Glorioso Islands) * Mayotte * Comoros * Mozambique * Malawi }} | refs = }}{{Infobox weather event/Footer | season = 2024–25 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season }}
'''Intense Tropical Cyclone Chido''' was a compact but very powerful, destructive, and deadly tropical cyclone which impacted Southeast Africa in December 2024. Chido, which means ''a desire'' in Shona, was the third named storm and the second intense tropical cyclone of the 2024–25 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. It became the strongest tropical cyclone to affect Agaléga since Cyclone Andry in 1983, and the most powerful storm to strike Mayotte in at least 90 years. It is also the costliest tropical cyclone on record in the South-West Indian Ocean basin, surpassing Cyclone Idai of 2019.
Chido originated from an elongated circulation that the Météo-France office in Réunion (RSMC La Réunion) began monitoring on 7 December, located east of Diego Garcia. In the post-storm analysis, it was indicated that the storm had already begun forming as a zone of disturbed weather on 5 December. On 11 December, Chido rapidly deepened and intensified into an intense tropical cyclone within twelve hours, with its eye passing over Agaléga. Early the next day, the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) upgraded the system to a Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone, with estimated 1-minute maximum sustained winds of {{convert|135|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5|sortable=on}}, while the MFR estimated its peak intensity with a minimum central pressure of {{convert|935|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} and 10-minute maximum sustained winds of {{convert|115|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5|sortable=on}} as it maintained its small size and moved westwards. As the system passed off the northern tip of Madagascar, the eye briefly cleared and the central dense overcast remained compact and symmetrical. Chido entered the Mozambique Channel on 14 December, with microwave imagery showing highly developed organized bands of deep convection. Satellite imagery showed cooling cloud tops surrounding a clearing eye, indicating the strengthening of the storm, and on 15 December, Chido made landfall in Pemba, Mozambique, with 10-minute sustained winds estimated at {{convert|110|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5|sortable=on}}. Shortly after landfall, the MFR reported that Chido moved through Mozambique and Malawi, with convective activity gradually weakening. On 16 December, Chido degenerated into an overland depression, and the MFR issued its final advisory on the system.
The deaths of at least 173 people are attributed to Chido; 120 in Mozambique, 40 in Mayotte and 13 in Malawi, along with over 5,194 injuries. Agaléga was significantly affected by Chido, with over 95% of the territory's buildings destroyed. Little was done to prepare for the storm in Mayotte, which experienced catastrophic damage and a heavily debated number of deaths and missing from Chido. Numerous residents were unaccounted for, with most shanty towns completely destroyed and 85% of the island being left without power by 16 December. In Mozambique, over 155,500 homes were badly affected and entire communities were destroyed. Relatively minor damage also occurred in the Comoros and Madagascar. Economic losses from Chido reached $3.9 billion, making it the costliest tropical cyclone in the South-West Indian Ocean basin.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bowen |first1=Steve |last2=Kerschner |first2=Brian |last3=Zheng Ng |first3=Jin |date=January 1, 2025 |title=Natural Catastrophe and Climate Report: 2025 |url=https://www.ajg.com/gallagherre/-/media/files/gallagher/gallagherre/news-and-insights/2025/natural-catastrophe-and-climate-report-2025.pdf |access-date=January 21, 2025 |website=ajg.com}}</ref>
==Meteorological history== {{storm path|Chido 2024 path.png|colors=new}} thumb|Cyclone Chido approaching Agalega Islands on 11 December
Cyclone Chido originated from an elongated circulation that the Météo-France office in Réunion (MFR){{#tag:ref|Météo-France's meteorological office in Réunion (RSMC La Réunion) is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the South-West Indian Ocean, tracking all tropical cyclones south of the equator, from the east coast of Africa to 90° E.{{RA I Tropical cyclone operational plan}}|group="nb"}} began monitoring on 7 December, located east of Diego Garcia.<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_202412071244.pdf |title=Bulletin for Cyclonic Activity and Significant Tropical Weather in the Southwest Indian Ocean |date=7 December 2024 |publisher=Météo-France |access-date=7 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=19 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219084822/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_202412071244.pdf }}</ref> In the post-storm analysis, it was indicated that the storm had already begun forming as a zone of disturbed weather on 5 December.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chido : 05/12/2024 to 16/12/2024 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/data/20242025/2024RE04.html |publisher=Météo-France La Réunion |access-date=17 December 2024 |archive-date=13 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213173731/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/data/20242025/2024RE04.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 8 December, at 08:00 UTC, the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC){{#tag:ref|The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the Indian Ocean and other regions.<ref name="faq">{{cite report|date=13 August 2012|title=Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|access-date=22 September 2012|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC/frequently-asked-questions-1/frequently-asked-questions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004091412/http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC/frequently-asked-questions-1/frequently-asked-questions/|archive-date=4 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>|group="nb"}} issued a tropical cyclone formation alert, noting a consolidating low-level circulation center and a favorable environment with low wind shear and sea surface temperatures exceeding {{Convert|28-29|C|F|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite JTWC|date=8 December 2024|type=tcfa|designation=92S|time=09Z|url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2024-12-08-0800-abioweb.txt|access-date=8 December 2024}}</ref> The following day, the JTWC began issuing warnings for the system, classifying it as ''Tropical Cyclone 04S'', as satellite imagery showed a partially exposed low-level circulation center on the eastern side of a developing burst of deep convection, which was nearly circular in shape and had cloud tops cooler than {{Convert|-80|C|F|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite JTWC|date=9 December 2024|type=prog|category=TC|designation=04S|no=1|name=Four|url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2024-12-09-2030-sh0425web.txt}}</ref> At 00:00 UTC on 10 December, the MFR reported that the system had intensified into a moderate tropical storm, with the Mauritius Meteorological Services naming it ''Chido'', as convection strongly increased around the center of the system, accompanied by cooling of cloud tops and an expansion of the central dense overcast (CDO).{{#tag:ref|The Sub-Regional Tropical Cyclone Advisory Center (Mauritius Meteorological Services) in Mauritius names a storm if the system intensifies into a moderate tropical storm between 55° E and 90° E.<ref name="TCOP-SWIO">{{cite web|year=2021|title=Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South-West Indian Ocean|accessdate=14 February 2022|author=Regional Association I Tropical Cyclone Committee|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|url=https://community.wmo.int/tropical-cyclone-operational-plans|format=PDF|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220053534/https://community.wmo.int/tropical-cyclone-operational-plans|url-status=live}} [https://wmoomm.sharepoint.com/sites/wmocpdb/eve_activityarea/Tropical%20Cyclone%20Programme%20(TCP)_73452102-7575-e911-a98e-000d3a44bd9c/Operational%20Plans/01_RAI-TropicalCycloneCommittee-RA%20I%20TCC/2021_RAI_TCC-24/RAI_TCC-24_OperationalPlan_WMO-Nr1178_EN_2021.pdf Alt URL]; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007124855/https://login.microsoftonline.com/eaa6be54-4687-40c4-9827-c044bd8e8d3c/oauth2/authorize?client%5Fid=00000003%2D0000%2D0ff1%2Dce00%2D000000000000&response%5Fmode=form%5Fpost&response%5Ftype=code%20id%5Ftoken&resource=00000003%2D0000%2D0ff1%2Dce00%2D000000000000&scope=openid&nonce=0DE1F51FC06DA6E1D387640E4F9655CA66EBA3910C02022C%2DC931F2F5962E42B075176CD1523A98462D705A2DD2A632763134C7892116C8D1&redirect%5Furi=https%3A%2F%2Fwmoomm%2Esharepoint%2Ecom%2F%5Fforms%2Fdefault%2Easpx&state=OD0w&claims=%7B%22id%5Ftoken%22%3A%7B%22xms%5Fcc%22%3A%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22CP1%22%5D%7D%7D%7D&wsucxt=1&cobrandid=11bd8083%2D87e0%2D41b5%2Dbb78%2D0bc43c8a8e8a&client%2Drequest%2Did=ab4a6ca0%2De012%2D5000%2D6097%2De45919382e08 |date=7 October 2022 }}</ref> |group="nb"}}<ref>{{cite report|title=Moderate Tropical Storm 4 (Chido) Warning Number (4/4/20242025)|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412100212.pdf|publisher=Météo-France|date=10 December 2024|access-date=10 December 2024}}</ref> The cyclone moved westward, and the MFR reported that it quickly intensified into a severe tropical storm around 12:00 UTC that day, citing the Dvorak technique—a method used to determine a tropical cyclone's intensity based on its satellite appearance.<ref>{{cite report|title=Severe Tropical Storm 4 (Chido) Warning Number (5/4/20242025)|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412100711.pdf|publisher=Météo-France|date=10 December 2024|access-date=10 December 2024}}</ref> On the subsequent day, Chido significantly improved in organization, with satellite imagery showing a newly developed eye feature, an increasingly symmetric structure, and curved convective banding wrapping around the system.<ref>{{cite JTWC|date=11 December 2024|type=prog|category=TC|designation=04S|no=4|name=Chido|url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2024-12-11-0900-sh0425prog.txt}}</ref> As a result, MFR upgraded it to a tropical cyclone, and the JTWC followed suit.<ref>{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone 4 (Chido) Warning Number (10/4/20242025)|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412111419.pdf|publisher=Météo-France|date=11 December 2024|access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref>
Chido rapidly deepened and intensified into an intense tropical cyclone within twelve hours, with its eye passing over Agalega and bringing extreme conditions to the island,<ref>{{cite report|title=Intense Tropical Cyclone 4 (Chido) Warning Number (11/4/20242025)|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412111925.pdf|publisher=Météo-France|date=11 December 2024|access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref> where a minimum pressure of {{convert|980|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on|sortable=on|comma=off}} was recorded.<ref>{{cite JTWC|date=11 December 2024|type=prog|category=TC|designation=04S|no=5|name=Chido|url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2024-12-11-2140-sh0425prog.txt}}</ref> This made Chido the strongest tropical cyclone to directly affect the island since Cyclone Andry in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kothari |first=Rishav |date=12 December 2024 |title=Tropical Cyclone Chido hits Agalega as the strongest in over 50 years, heads toward Mayotte and Mozambique |url=https://watchers.news/2024/12/12/tropical-cyclone-chido-landfall-agalega-mayotte-mozambique/ |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=The Watchers |language=en-US}}</ref> Early the next day, the JTWC upgraded the system to a Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone, with estimated 1-minute maximum sustained winds of {{convert|135|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5|sortable=on}},<ref>{{cite report|title=Intense Tropical Cyclone 4 (Chido) Warning Number (13/4/20242025)|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412120747.pdf|publisher=Météo-France|date=12 December 2024|access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> while the MFR estimated its peak intensity with a minimum central pressure of {{convert|935|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} and 10-minute maximum sustained winds of {{convert|115|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5|sortable=on}} as it maintained its small size and moved westwards.<ref>{{cite JTWC|date=12 December 2024|type=prog|category=TC|designation=04S|no=6|name=Chido|url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2024-12-12-0910-sh0425prog.txt}}</ref> After reaching its peak intensity, the cyclone's eye, which was {{convert|12|nmi|mi km|1|order=out}} wide, became cloud-filled and increasingly ragged, and on 13 December, an eyewall replacement cycle occurred, causing the storm to weaken.<ref>{{cite JTWC|date=12 December 2024|type=prog|category=TC|designation=04S|no=7|name=Chido|url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2024-12-12-2120-sh0425prog.txt}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=Intense Tropical Cyclone 4 (Chido) Warning Number (17/4/20242025)|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412130758.pdf|publisher=Météo-France|date=13 December 2024|access-date=13 December 2024}}</ref> As the system passed about {{convert|35|nmi|km|1|order=out}} off the northern tip of Madagascar, the eye briefly cleared and the CDO remained compact and symmetrical.<ref>{{cite JTWC|date=13 December 2024|type=prog|category=TC|designation=04S|no=10|name=Chido|url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2024-12-13-1500-sh0425prog.txt}}</ref> Chido entered the Mozambique Channel on 14 December, with microwave imagery showing highly developed organized bands of deep convection.<ref>{{cite JTWC|date=14 December 2024|type=prog|category=TC|designation=04S|no=12|name=Chido|url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2024-12-14-0310-sh0425prog.txt}}</ref> As it neared Mayotte, it quickly re-intensified, with Pamandzi Airport recording a maximum gust of {{convert|122|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|sortable=on}}, setting an all-time record for the station, and a minimum pressure of {{convert|982|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4|comma=off|sortable=on}},<ref>{{cite report|title=Intense Tropical Cyclone 4 (Chido) Warning Number (22/4/20242025)|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412141401.pdf|publisher=Météo-France|date=14 December 2024|access-date=14 December 2024}}</ref> breaking the previous record of {{convert|985|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4|comma=off|sortable=on}} set during Cyclone Kamisy in 1984. Additionally, the MFR reported that it was the strongest storm to strike Mayotte in at least 90 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Tropical cyclone Chido devastates Mayotte in Indian Ocean |url=https://wmo.int/media/news/tropical-cyclone-chido-devastates-mayotte-indian-ocean |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=World Meteorological Organization |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218152102/https://wmo.int/media/news/tropical-cyclone-chido-devastates-mayotte-indian-ocean |url-status=live }}</ref> Satellite imagery showed cooling cloud tops surrounding a clearing eye, indicating the strengthening of the storm, and at 06:00 UTC on 15 December,<ref>{{cite report|title=Intense Tropical Cyclone 4 (Chido) Warning Number (25/4/20242025)|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412150716.pdf|publisher=Météo-France|date=15 December 2024|access-date=15 December 2024|archive-date=15 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215074234/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412150716.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Chido made landfall on Pemba in Mozambique, with 10-minute sustained winds estimated at {{convert|110|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5|sortable=on}}.<ref>{{cite JTWC|date=15 December 2024|type=prog|category=TC|designation=04S|no=15|name=Chido|url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2024-12-14-2110-sh0425prog.txt}}</ref> Shortly after landfall, the JTWC discontinued warnings,<ref>{{cite report|title=Moderate Tropical Storm 4 (Chido) Warning Number (29/4/20242025)|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412160612.pdf|publisher=Météo-France|date=16 December 2024|access-date=16 December 2024}}</ref> and the MFR reported that Chido moved through Mozambique and Malawi, with convective activity gradually weakening.<ref>{{cite JTWC|date=15 December 2024|type=warn|category=TC|designation=04S|no=17|name=Chido|url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2024-12-15-0820-sh0425web.txt}}</ref> On 16 December, Chido degenerated into an overland depression, and the MFR issued its final advisory on the system.<ref>{{cite report|title=Overland Depression 4 (Chido) Warning Number (30/4/20242025)|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_202412161221.pdf|publisher=Météo-France|date=16 December 2024|access-date=16 December 2024}}</ref>
== Preparations == thumb|ECDM map showing projected rainfall from Chido
=== Mauritius and Madagascar ===
In Agaléga, residents sought refuge at an airport terminal.<ref name="LEXPRESS" />
In Madagascar, officials said that although damage from Chido would likely be minor, due to the characteristics of the cyclone and the capacity of the area expected to be affected, access to the north of the island would be challenging as national roads were still damaged from previous cyclones. However, the National Office for Risk and Catastrophe Management (BNGRC) deployed food stocks to northern Madagascar, in addition to the stocks already available through partners. UNICEF planned to mobilize a United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flight to preposition items in the north where stock levels are relatively low. OCHA, in support of BNGRC, conducted a refresher training on aerial and rapid multi-sector needs assessment for about 40 inter-agency teams, which would be mobilized at any time if a post-cyclone assessment was needed. Madagascar Red Cross branches were alerted, disaster response teams were identified and early warning system (EWS) equipment was deployed. Humanitarian partners continued to monitor the situation to assess required support. Three teams of BNGRC were deployed to Antsiranana, Vohemar and Ambilobe to support anticipatory actions conducted at a local level including preventive evacuations. The Red Cross also carried out awareness-raising campaigns in Sava and Sofia Regions through its crisis modifier window.<ref name="OCHA1" />
=== Comoros and Mayotte === thumb|Chido making landfall in Mayotte on 14 December
On 13 December, Météo-France issued a red alert for Mayotte,<ref name="71CH">{{Cite news|language=fr|author=Raphaël Cann|title=Cyclone Chido: la liste des 71 centres d'hébergements d'urgence désormais ouverts à Mayotte|publisher=France Info|date=13 December 2024|url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/mayotte/cyclone-chido-la-liste-des-centres-d-hebergements-d-urgence-desormais-ouverts-a-mayotte-1545043.html|access-date=18 December 2024|archive-date=19 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219093459/https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/mayotte/cyclone-chido-la-liste-des-centres-d-hebergements-d-urgence-desormais-ouverts-a-mayotte-1545043.html|url-status=live}}</ref> before revising the alert level to purple the following day.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Cylone Chido: l'archipel français de Mayotte placé en alerte violette, le plus haut niveau de vigilance, à partir de 7 heures|publisher=Midi Libre|date=14 December 2024|url=https://www.midilibre.fr/2024/12/14/cylone-chido-larchipel-francais-de-mayotte-place-en-alerte-violette-le-plus-haut-niveau-a-partir-de-7-heures-12391566.php|access-date=18 December 2024|archive-date=19 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219091111/https://www.midilibre.fr/2024/12/14/cylone-chido-larchipel-francais-de-mayotte-place-en-alerte-violette-le-plus-haut-niveau-a-partir-de-7-heures-12391566.php|url-status=live}}</ref> However, most residents of the island ignored the warnings in the 24 hours before the storm hit, underestimating its severity. Some chose to remain in their homes out of fear that they may be looted, while others avoided shelters out of fear of deportation, as about a third of residents in Mayotte are undocumented migrants.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://apnews.com/article/mayotte-cyclone-chido-climate-weather-43890b2cee0d90e67b6263f278782334 | title=France rushes aid to Mayotte after Cyclone Chido leaves hundreds feared dead | website=Associated Press News | date=16 December 2024 | access-date=16 December 2024 | archive-date=16 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216095709/https://apnews.com/article/mayotte-cyclone-chido-climate-weather-43890b2cee0d90e67b6263f278782334 | url-status=live }}</ref> Meteorological officials in the Comoros issued an orange weather alert that would be issued on 13 December. On that day, the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Civile (DGSC) decreed the official activation of the Cyclone-induced Flood Rescue Plan and the national emergency operational centre would help monitor the storm's effects. The Comorian Red Cross in Anjouan and Mohéli were confined during the cyclone's passing. Residents were also advised to follow forecasts through their national meteorological service. Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport was closed from 13 to 16 December.<ref name="OCHA2"/>
=== Southern Africa === The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that over 1.7 million people in Mozambique could be affected by winds exceeding {{cvt|120|kph|mph}}, and that the cyclone may exacerbate a cholera outbreak affecting the country.<ref name="OCHA1">{{cite news|author=OCHA|title=Mozambique: Intense Tropical Cyclone Chido – Flash Update No. 1, As of 13 December 2024|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/mozambique-intense-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-1-13-december-2024|date=13 December 2024|access-date=13 December 2024|publisher=ReliefWeb|archive-date=13 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213145351/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/mozambique-intense-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-1-13-december-2024|url-status=live}}</ref> The Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology issued red alerts for Cabo Delgado and Nampula Provinces and recommended that all civilians must take precautionary and safety measures. The Mozambique Red Cross Society and World Food Programme implemented anticipatory actions following the activation by the Technical Council for Disaster Management for Mogincual and Angoche Districts. Partners also conducted an assessment mission in Cabo Delgado, visiting accommodation sites to provide inputs in the updated list of accommodation centers.<ref name="OCHA2"/>
The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) in Malawi issued a warning for 15 districts expected to be in the path of Chido. Possibilities of flooding, dangerous winds and infrastructure damage were forecast along with the possibility for some districts to receive more than {{cvt|50|mm|in}} of rain within 24 hours from the storm. On 14 December, the DoDMA agreed to set up a centralised Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in Blantyre and that it would remain operational from 15 December. The country's government initiated the district response coordination mechanism to scale up the preparedness efforts. All response sectors, including the drone team, were activated and are in progress of prepositioning key response stocks in strategic areas in southern Malawi.<ref name="OCHA2"/>
Authorities in Zimbabwe said that Chido was likely to affect the country by 17 December, with heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides likely.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tropical cyclone Chido likely to affect Zimbabwe|url=https://www.herald.co.zw/tropical-cyclone-chido-likely-to-affect-zimbabwe/|date=12 December 2024|access-date=13 December 2024|newspaper=The Herald|archive-date=14 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214021529/https://www.herald.co.zw/tropical-cyclone-chido-likely-to-affect-zimbabwe/|url-status=live}}</ref> OCHA also reported that Chido may exacerbate rainfall in Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Tanzania and South Africa.<ref name="OCHA2"/>
== Impact == {| class="wikitable sortable floatright" |+Casualties by country<!--Please do not change the casualties here without updating the corresponding text below and adding new references there to support the new figure.--> !Countries !Fatalities !Missing !Injuries !Damage (USD) |- style="text-align:center;" | scope="row" |Agalega (Mauritius) |0 |0 |0 |{{Unknown}} |- style="text-align:center;" | scope="row" |Madagascar |0 |0 |0 |Minimal |- style="text-align:center;" | scope="row" |Mayotte (France) |40<ref name="Lagoon">{{cite news |title=A Mayotte, le cyclone Chido a détruit près de la moitié des coraux du lagon, selon une étude |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/outre-mer/article/2025/08/28/a-mayotte-le-cyclone-chido-a-detruit-pres-de-la-moitie-des-coraux-du-lagon-selon-une-etude_6636982_1840826.html |access-date=13 October 2025 |work=Le Monde |date=28 August 2025 |language=fr |trans-title=In Mayotte, according to a study, Cyclone Chido has destroyed nearly half of the corals in the lagoon}}</ref> |41<ref name="Lagoon" /> |4,260<ref>{{cite news |title=Cyclone Chido à Mayotte : le bilan s'alourdit à 39 morts et plus de 4000 blessés |url=https://www.tf1info.fr/societe/cyclone-chido-a-mayotte-le-bilan-s-alourdit-a-39-morts-et-plus-de-4000-blesses-2341282.html |access-date=13 October 2025 |work=TF1 INFO |date=24 December 2024 |language=fr}}</ref> |€450 million<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hangard |first1=Mathilde |title=Mayotte n’a pas "raflé" l’aide européenne : elle a encaissé le cyclone le plus dévastateur de son histoire |url=https://lejournaldemayotte.yt/2025/10/07/mayotte-na-pas-rafle-laide-europeenne-elle-a-encaisse-le-cyclone-le-plus-devastateur-de-son-histoire/ |access-date=13 October 2025 |work=Le Journal De Mayotte |date=7 October 2025 |language=fr-FR}}</ref> |- |- style="text-align:center;" |Comoros |0 |0 |5 |{{Unknown}} |- style="text-align:center;" | scope="row" |Mozambique |120 |{{Unknown}} |900 |>$5.95 million |- |- style="text-align:center;" |Malawi |13 |{{Unknown}} |29 |{{Unknown}} |- class="sortbottom" !Total !173 !41 !5,194 !>$526 million |}
=== Mauritius and Madagascar === Chido was the strongest storm to strike Agaléga since 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kothari |first=Rishav |date=12 December 2024 |title=Tropical Cyclone Chido hits Agalega as the strongest in over 50 years, heads toward Mayotte and Mozambique |url=https://watchers.news/2024/12/12/tropical-cyclone-chido-landfall-agalega-mayotte-mozambique/ |access-date=14 December 2024 |website=The Watchers |language=en-US}}</ref> North Agaléga was reportedly "devastated" by Chido, with strong gusts and {{cvt|8|m|ft}} waves destroying 95% of the island's buildings, including a hospital, while 98% of structures were decimated at South Agaléga.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyclone Chido Leaves Death, Damage From Mauritius to Mozambique|url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/international/2024/12/17/cyclone-chido-leaves-death-damage-from-mauritius-to-mozambique/|date=17 December 2024|access-date=17 December 2024|publisher=Bloomberg News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Agaléga crie à l'aide|url=https://lexpress.mu/s/agalega-crie-a-laide-540729|newspaper=L'Express|date=13 December 2024|access-date=13 December 2024|language=fr|archive-date=13 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213192822/https://lexpress.mu/s/agalega-crie-a-laide-540729|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LEXPRESS">{{cite news|title=Les grands titres de l'express de ce vendredi 13 décembre 2024|url=https://lexpress.mu/s/les-grands-titres-de-lexpress-de-ce-vendredi-13-decembre-2024-540705|newspaper=L'Express|date=13 December 2024|access-date=13 December 2024|language=fr|archive-date=13 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213034021/https://lexpress.mu/s/les-grands-titres-de-lexpress-de-ce-vendredi-13-decembre-2024-540705|url-status=live}}</ref> Communications were cut off following the passage of the eye overnight from 11–12 December. A tugboat ran aground in the reefs just north of the islands, sparking concerns of a possible oil spill.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cyclone Chido – dans la nuit de mercredi à jeudi – Agalega : des rafales de 250 km/h ! |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/societe/cyclone-chido-dans-la-nuit-de-mercredi-a-jeudi-agalega-des-rafales-de-250-km-h/659816/ |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=Le Mauricien |date=13 December 2024 |language=fr |archive-date=13 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213091436/http://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/societe/cyclone-chido-dans-la-nuit-de-mercredi-a-jeudi-agalega-des-rafales-de-250-km-h/659816/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In Madagascar, minor damage, mild flooding and power outages were reported in Antsiranana.<ref>{{cite news|title=CYCLONE – Chido laisse de légers dégâts dans le Nord|url=https://www.lexpress.mg/2024/12/cyclone-chido-laisse-de-legers-degats.html|date=14 December 2024|access-date=14 December 2024|newspaper=L'Express|language=fr|archive-date=14 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214060525/https://www.lexpress.mg/2024/12/cyclone-chido-laisse-de-legers-degats.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Multiple other districts recorded significant damage to infrastructure and displaced residents, with heavy rains affecting crops and causing floods.<ref name="RW24DEC"/>
=== Comoros and Mayotte === thumb|upright=1.3|{{Center|Analysis of damage in Mayotte}} {| |- | colspan=2 | Color key: |- valign=top | {{Color box|#FF0000}} || Destroyed structures |- valign=top | {{Color box|#FFC41B}} || Damaged structures |- valign=top | {{Color box|#FDFF00}} || Possibly damaged structures |}
Chido was considered the worst storm to affect Mayotte in 90 years,<ref name="ECHO2">{{cite news|author=ECHO|title=Mozambique, Mayotte, Malawi, Comoros – Tropical cyclone CHIDO, update (DG ECHO, GDACS, WHO, UNICEF, media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 19 December 2024)|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/mozambique-mayotte-malawi-comoros-tropical-cyclone-chido-update-dg-echo-gdacs-who-unicef-media-echo-daily-flash-19-december-2024|date=19 December 2024|access-date=19 December 2024|publisher=ReliefWeb}}</ref> with the cyclone reportedly destroying 90% of the island's structures.<ref>{{cite news|title=La France dans le recueillement après le cyclone dévastateur à Mayotte|url=https://www.letemps.ch/monde/la-france-dans-le-recueillement-apres-le-cyclone-devastateur-a-mayotte|date=23 December 2024|access-date=23 December 2024|language=fr|newspaper=Le Temps}}</ref> 40 people were killed in Mayotte with 41 more missing.<ref name="Lagoon" /> Réunion La Première initially estimated that 60,000 fatalities were likely in a report that was later deleted after other sources debated the figure.<ref>{{citation|title=Cyclone Chido à Mayotte: d'où vient l'estimation rétractée de 60,000 morts?|url=https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/cyclone-chido-a-mayotte-dou-vient-lestimation-retractee-de-60-000-morts-20241219_ECA3IP7DT5EBNAHEWGSFRPDHME/|language=fr|date=19 December 2024|access-date=26 December 2024|newspaper=Libération}}</ref> Additionally, French politician Estelle Youssouffa claimed that tens-of-thousands of residents were missing or buried beneath the wreckage of destroyed shanty towns.<ref>{{citation|title=Cyclone Chido : François Bayrou annonce son gouvernement le jour du deuil national pour Mayotte, la colère d'Estelle Youssouffa|url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/mayotte/cyclone-chido-francois-bayrou-annonce-son-gouvernement-le-jour-de-deuil-national-pour-mayotte-la-colere-d-estelle-youssouffa-1548184.html/|language=fr|date=24 December 2024|access-date=26 December 2024|publisher=La Première}}</ref>
Up to 100,000 were displaced by the storm.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Southern Africa: Tropical Cyclone Chido – Flash Update No. 5, as of 17 December 2024 – Mozambique |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-5-17-december-2024 |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=ReliefWeb |language=en |archive-date=17 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217184603/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-5-17-december-2024 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="REUTERSHUNDREDS">{{Cite news|author=Michel Rose|title=Several hundreds, maybe thousands, may have died in Mayotte cyclone|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/cyclone-slams-into-frances-mayotte-archipelago-killing-least-11-2024-12-15/|date=15 December 2024|access-date=15 December 2024|language=en|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Thousands more were declared missing on the island,<ref>{{cite web|title=Cyclone à Mayotte: Médecins du Monde s'organise face à l'urgence|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mayotte-france/cyclone-mayotte-medecins-du-monde-sorganise-face-lurgence|date=16 December 2024|access-date=17 December 2024|language=fr|publisher=ReliefWeb|author=MDM|archive-date=16 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216194936/https://reliefweb.int/report/mayotte-france/cyclone-mayotte-medecins-du-monde-sorganise-face-lurgence|url-status=live}}</ref> including over 200 Red Cross volunteers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cyclone Chido death toll rises in Mayotte and Mozambique as Red Cross volunteers feared missing|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-18/cyclone-chido-mayotte-mozambique-death-toll-rises/104738786|date=17 December 2024|access-date=17 December 2024|language=en|publisher=ABC News|archive-date=17 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217201320/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-18/cyclone-chido-mayotte-mozambique-death-toll-rises/104738786|url-status=live}}</ref> France Bleu reported that it would likely take weeks or possibly months to properly count the dead.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyclone à Mayotte : pourquoi le bilan humain sera sans doute moins lourd que ce qui avait été annoncé au départ|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/faits-divers-justice/cyclone-a-mayotte-pourquoi-le-bilan-humain-sera-sans-doute-moins-lourd-que-ce-qui-avait-ete-annonce-1869324|publisher=France Bleu|date=24 December 2024|access-date=24 December 2024|language=fr}}</ref> More than 15,000 homes lost electricity,<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2024 |title=More than a dozen killed as Cyclone Chido devastates France's Mayotte |url=https://www.france24.com/en/france/20241215-more-than-a-dozen-killed-as-cyclone-chido-devastates-france-s-mayotte |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215175935/https://www.france24.com/en/france/20241215-more-than-a-dozen-killed-as-cyclone-chido-devastates-france-s-mayotte |url-status=live }}</ref> and 35,000 others were destroyed.<ref name="RW24DEC">{{cite web|author=IFRC|title=Southwest Indian Ocean - Tropical Cyclone Chido Emergency Appeal: MDRS1005|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/comoros/southwest-indian-ocean-tropical-cyclone-chido-emergency-appeal-mdrs1005|date=23 December 2024|access-date=23 December 2024|publisher=ReliefWeb}}</ref> Over 40% of the country's schools were rendered unusable due to the storm.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2024 |title=L'archipel de Mayotte en état de "calamité naturelle exceptionnelle", le président Macron attendu |url=https://www.france24.com/fr/info-en-continu/20241218-situation-toujours-tr%C3%A8s-difficile-%C3%A0-mayotte-o%C3%B9-l-aide-arrive-et-la-vie-reprend |access-date=19 December 2024 |website=France 24 |language=fr |archive-date=19 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219025215/https://www.france24.com/fr/info-en-continu/20241218-situation-toujours-tr%C3%A8s-difficile-%C3%A0-mayotte-o%C3%B9-l-aide-arrive-et-la-vie-reprend |url-status=live }}</ref> The French Interior Ministry estimated 70% of the territory's population was severely affected.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=France rushes aid to Mayotte after Cyclone Chido leaves hundreds feared deadt |url=https://apnews.com/article/mayotte-cyclone-chido-climate-weather-43890b2cee0d90e67b6263f278782334 |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=16 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216095709/https://apnews.com/article/mayotte-cyclone-chido-climate-weather-43890b2cee0d90e67b6263f278782334 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mayotte's prefect François-Xavier Bieuville said Chido was the most violent and destructive cyclone since 1934.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2024 |title=Cyclone Chido kills several in French territory of Mayotte before heading for Africa's east coast |url=https://apnews.com/article/cyclone-chido-mayotte-africa-2a6ba3016b39fe701cee38b143e366bb |access-date=14 December 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214162255/https://apnews.com/article/cyclone-chido-mayotte-africa-2a6ba3016b39fe701cee38b143e366bb |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the capital, Mamoudzou, most homes, administrative buildings and part of the town hall were severely damaged, with entire shanty towns reported destroyed due to mudslides.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyclone Chido: "S'il n'y a pas de morts ou de blessés, ça serait vraiment un miracle", selon le président de l'association des maires de Mayotte|url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/france/mayotte/cyclone-chido-s-il-n-y-a-pas-de-morts-ou-de-blesses-ca-serait-vraiment-un-miracle-selon-le-president-de-l-association-des-maires-de-mayotte_6955169.html|language=fr|date=14 December 2024|access-date=14 December 2024|publisher=France Info|archive-date=14 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214123643/https://www.francetvinfo.fr/france/mayotte/cyclone-chido-s-il-n-y-a-pas-de-morts-ou-de-blesses-ca-serait-vraiment-un-miracle-selon-le-president-de-l-association-des-maires-de-mayotte_6955169.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Kaweni slum, the largest in the territory with a population of about 20,000, was severely damaged, and faced food and water shortages.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 December 2024 |title=Mayotte : Kawéni, le plus grand bidonville de France, rayé de la carte |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2024/12/16/mayotte-kaweni-le-plus-grand-bidonville-de-france-raye-de-la-carte_6452559_3244.html |access-date=19 December 2024 |language=fr}}</ref> A warehouse for humanitarian supplies and a Red Cross building were damaged as well.<ref name=":0" /> Wind speeds reached {{cvt|226|kph|mph}} at Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi International Airport,<ref>{{cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=Cyclone Chido inflicts "catastrophic" damage on French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241214-cyclone-batters-french-indian-ocean-island-of-mayotte |access-date=14 December 2024 |publisher=France 24 |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214122220/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241214-cyclone-batters-french-indian-ocean-island-of-mayotte |url-status=live }}</ref> which suffered severe damage in the cyclone.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=France fears heavy toll as Cyclone Chido batters Mayotte |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/france-fears-heavy-toll-cyclone-204640010.html |access-date=14 December 2024 |publisher=Yahoo News UK |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214210809/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/france-fears-heavy-toll-cyclone-204640010.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The highest storm surge recorded in Mayotte was {{Convert|28|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Cyclone Chido, Vanuatu Earthquake Leave Devastation in Their Wake – Mayotte (France) |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mayotte-france/cyclone-chido-vanuatu-earthquake-leave-devastation-their-wake |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=ReliefWeb |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218135927/https://reliefweb.int/report/mayotte-france/cyclone-chido-vanuatu-earthquake-leave-devastation-their-wake |url-status=live }}</ref>
Numerous homes were badly damaged and debris covered streets throughout the island.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=Cyclone à Mayotte : toits arrachés, électricité coupée… Les premières images des dégâts |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/meteo/cyclone-a-mayotte-toits-arraches-electricite-coupee-les-premieres-images-des-degats-14-12-2024-GF6EQMBYSVBH5OHLSFZ3FPA6EY.php |access-date=14 December 2024 |newspaper=Le Parisien |language=fr |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214120853/https://www.leparisien.fr/meteo/cyclone-a-mayotte-toits-arraches-electricite-coupee-les-premieres-images-des-degats-14-12-2024-GF6EQMBYSVBH5OHLSFZ3FPA6EY.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Mayotte Central Hospital also suffered extensive damage from the storm. Many roads were rendered inaccessible in the territory, significantly hampering relief efforts.<ref name=":0" /> By 18 December, up to 30% of roads in Mayotte remained inaccessible, and the mobile phone network remained unavailable to 80% of the population.<ref name="OCHA5" /> Insurance losses reached around €650–800 million (US$675–831 million).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.atlas-mag.net/en/category/pays/france/cyclone-chido-in-mayotte-650-to-800-million-eur-in-insured-losses|title=Cyclone Chido in Mayotte: 650 to 800 million EUR in insured losses|publisher=Atlas Magazine|date=20 December 2024|access-date=21 December 2024}}</ref>
Five people were injured and 64,150 people were affected in the Comoros.<ref name="ECHO2" /> In Anjouan, two people were injured and five houses were destroyed, with mosques, other houses and poultry coops suffering damage. In Grande Comore, 11 fishermen were declared missing but were found on 15 December. Chido also brought strong winds heavy rains to Mohéli, causing crop damage.<ref>{{Cite news|author=OCHA|title=Southern Africa: Tropical Cyclone Chido – Flash Update No. 3, As of 15 December 2024|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-3-15-december-2024|date=15 December 2024|access-date=5 December 2024|publisher=ReliefWeb|archive-date=17 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217215056/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-3-15-december-2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="OCHA2">{{Cite news|author=OCHA|title=Southern Africa: Tropical Cyclone Chido – Flash Update No. 2, As of 14 December 2024|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-2-14-december-2024|date=14 December 2024|access-date=14 December 2024|publisher=ReliefWeb|archive-date=14 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214164353/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-2-14-december-2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Southern Africa ===
thumb|Chido making landfall near Pemba, Mozambique on 15 December.
At least 120 people were killed and about 900 were injured by Chido in Mozambique,<ref>{{Cite web|agency=AFP|title=Mozambique Death Toll From Cyclone Chido Rises To 120: Officials|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/mozambique-death-toll-from-cyclone-chido-rises-to-120-officials-9a6d110b |access-date=2024-12-23|publisher=Barron's|language=en-US}}</ref> where an estimated two million people were estimated to have been affected.<ref name="AP">{{cite news |date=16 December 2024 |title=France rushes aid to Mayotte, with hundreds feared dead and hunger rising after Cyclone Chido |url=https://apnews.com/article/mayotte-cyclone-chido-climate-weather-43890b2cee0d90e67b6263f278782334 |access-date=16 December 2024 |newspaper=Associated Press |archive-date=16 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216095709/https://apnews.com/article/mayotte-cyclone-chido-climate-weather-43890b2cee0d90e67b6263f278782334 |url-status=live }}</ref> At least 155,532 homes were completely or partially destroyed in the country, along with 1,126 classrooms, 52 health facilities, 35 places of worship, 11 telecommunications towers, 89 public buildings and 250 schools.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sobe para 120 o número de vítimas mortais pelo ciclone Chido em Moçambique|url=https://sicnoticias.pt/mundo/2024-12-23-sobe-para-120-o-numero-de-vitimas-mortais-pelo-ciclone-chido-em-mocambique-710f8642|language=pt|date=23 December 2024|access-date=23 December 2024|publisher=SIC Notícias}}</ref><ref name="MOZAMBIQUE1">{{Cite news|author=OCHA|title=Mozambique: Intense Tropical Cyclone Chido – Flash Update No. 2, As of 17 December 2024|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/mozambique-intense-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-2-17-december-2024|date=17 December 2024|access-date=17 December 2024|publisher=ReliefWeb|archive-date=17 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217120654/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/mozambique-intense-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-2-17-december-2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Many homes, schools and health facilities were destroyed in Pemba, where communications were cut off by the cyclone.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyclone Chido slams into Mozambique|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/weather/cyclone-chido-slams-into-mozambique/articleshow/116336053.cms|date=15 December 2024|access-date=15 December 2024|newspaper=The Times of India|archive-date=15 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215095540/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/weather/cyclone-chido-slams-into-mozambique/articleshow/116336053.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Damage in rural areas outside the city was reportedly much more severe,<ref>{{Cite news|author=UNICEF|title=UNICEF Mozambique Humanitarian Situation Report No.1 (Cyclone CHIDO), 16 December 2024|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/unicef-mozambique-humanitarian-situation-report-no1-cyclone-chido-16-december-2024|date=16 December 2024|access-date=17 December 2024|publisher=ReliefWeb|archive-date=17 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217025005/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/unicef-mozambique-humanitarian-situation-report-no1-cyclone-chido-16-december-2024|url-status=live}}</ref> with 100% of homes damaged in Mecúfi District; 99% of homes were destroyed in the town of Murrebue, with two schools being the only structures left standing there, and in neighboring Chiúre District, 40% of homes were destroyed and 60% suffered roof damage.<ref name="MOZAMBIQUE1" /> Damage in Cabo Delgado Province amounted to 380 million meticais (US$5.95 million).<ref>{{cite AV media|date=27 December 2024|title=Ciclone Chido causa prejuízo de mais de 380 milhões de meticais à EDM na província de Cabo Delgado |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2YViLtqxk4|format=Video|work=Hoje em Moçambique|language=Portuguese|access-date=28 December 2024}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=January 2025}} At least 10,159 households were affected by flooding caused by Chido in southern Malawi, with 13 deaths and 29 injuries recorded in the country.<ref name="OCHA5">{{cite news|author=OCHA|title=Southern Africa: Tropical Cyclone Chido – Flash Update No. 6, as of 18 December 2024|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-6-18-december-2024|date=18 December 2024|access-date=18 December 2024|publisher=ReliefWeb}}</ref> Schools and health facilities were also damaged in the country.<ref name="OCHA4">{{cite news|author=OCHA|title=Southern Africa: Tropical Cyclone Chido – Flash Update No. 4, as of 16 December 2024|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-4-16-december-2024|date=16 December 2024|access-date=16 December 2024|publisher=ReliefWeb|archive-date=16 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216190505/https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-chido-flash-update-no-4-16-december-2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Twenty of the country's 29 districts recorded "mild to severe damages".<ref name="curfew"/>
The bishop of Pemba, which covers Cabo Delgado, in Mozambique described the desolation of the local population, already suffering from an islamist insurgency. "In our diocese, close to 50 churches, from parish headquarters to the churches of local communities, were either destroyed, or sustained damage to their roofs. It is a lot of destruction. We also have schools which had their roofs blown off, or floor destroyed, and a lot of other assets were wrecked as well. In Chiúre, all the roofs of the buildings in the Farm of Hope were damaged, so the destruction was widespread.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aido |first=Paulo |date=2024-12-19 |title=Mozambique after the passing of Cyclone Chido: “What will become of us now? We’ve lost everything” |url=https://acninternational.org/mozambique-after-the-passing-of-cyclone-chido-what-will-become-of-us-now-weve-lost-everything/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=ACN International |language=en-US}}</ref> {{clear}}
==Aftermath== {{Costliest South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclones}} On 16 December, Comoros declared a week of national mourning due to Chido's impact on Mayotte, which is predominantly inhabited by Comorans.<ref>{{cite news|title=Comoros Declares Week Of National Mourning After Cyclone Chido|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/comoros-declares-week-of-national-mourning-after-cyclone-chido-3c1b4286|date=16 December 2024|newspaper=Barron's|access-date=16 December 2024|archive-date=16 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216184938/https://www.barrons.com/news/comoros-declares-week-of-national-mourning-after-cyclone-chido-3c1b4286|url-status=live}}</ref> At France's National Assembly, a minute of silence was held on 16 December.<ref name="FRANCEBLEU"/> French prefect François-Xavier Bieuville added it would be extremely hard to count fatalities and many might never be recorded, partly due to the Muslim tradition of burying people within 24 hours. The French Interior Ministry said 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers were deployed to Mayotte to help residents and prevent looting, with 800 more expected to arrive in the coming days. Due to damage to Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi International Airport, operations there were limited to military aircraft. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau visited Mamoudzou on 16 December. President Emmanuel Macron, who promised urgent help, was set to host a meeting on the situation at the Interior Ministry's crisis center in Paris later that day. Illegal immigrants had also avoided shelters during the cyclone out of deportation fears.<ref name="AP" /> Macron also declared a period of national mourning<ref>{{Cite news |title=Macron to declare national mourning period for cyclone-ravaged Mayotte |url=https://www.france24.com/en/france/20241216-rescuers-race-to-reach-survivors-in-french-territory-of-mayotte-after-cyclone |date=17 December 2024 |access-date=17 December 2024 |language=en |work=France 24 |archive-date=16 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216154714/https://www.france24.com/en/france/20241216-rescuers-race-to-reach-survivors-in-french-territory-of-mayotte-after-cyclone |url-status=live }}</ref> for 23 December.<ref>{{Cite news |title=France holds day of mourning for Mayotte cyclone dead |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgnz1yw428o |date=23 December 2024 |access-date=23 December 2024 |language=en |work=BBC }}</ref> By 16 December 85% of Mayotte's households were still without power.<ref name="FRANCEBLEU">{{Cite news|title=Cyclone Chido à Mayotte : au moins 21 morts selon un dernier bilan, une première évacuation sanitaire vers la Réunion|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/faits-divers-justice/cyclone-chido-a-mayotte-l-archipel-devaste-certainement-plusieurs-centaines-de-morts-5050928|date=16 December 2024|access-date=17 December 2024|language=fr|agency=France Bleu|archive-date=16 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216080505/https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/faits-divers-justice/cyclone-chido-a-mayotte-l-archipel-devaste-certainement-plusieurs-centaines-de-morts-5050928|url-status=live}}</ref> Additional personnel were also brought in from Réunion.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hundreds feared dead as Cyclone Chido devastates French island of Mayotte |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/15/hundreds-feared-dead-as-cyclone-chido-devastates-french-island-of-mayotte |date=15 December 2024 |access-date=17 December 2024|language=en|work=The Guardian}}</ref> A nighttime curfew was imposed beginning on 17 December.<ref name="curfew">{{Cite news |title=Tens of thousands without water in Mayotte as curfew brought in |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89x0j1le4lo |date=18 December 2024 |access-date=18 December 2024 |language=en |work=BBC |archive-date=18 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218125211/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89x0j1le4lo |url-status=live }}</ref> Macron visited Mayotte on 19 December,<ref>{{Cite news|title=French president arrives in Mayotte to survey Cyclone Chido damage |url=https://apnews.com/article/macron-cyclone-chido-mayotte-604d543a8f020719b3ce5cec320c86fa |date=19 December 2024 |access-date=19 December 2024|language=en|work=Associated Press}}</ref> during which he was heckled by residents of Tsingoni for the continuing lack of drinking water.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Macron heckled as residents of France's cyclone-ravaged Mayotte plead for water |url=https://www.france24.com/en/france/20241220-macron-faces-mayotte-locals-pledges-to-rebuild-cyclone-ravaged-island |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=France 24 |date=20 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> He was also criticised for telling residents that the situation would have been much worse had Mayotte not been part of France.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Macron slammed over racist remarks Elysee denies he made |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241220-macron-slammed-over-racist-remarks-elysee-denies-he-made |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=France 24 |date=20 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> French premier François Bayrou also visited Mayotte on 30 December<ref>{{Cite web |title=French PM visits Mayotte after Cyclone Chido destruction |url=https://www.france24.com/en/video/20241230-french-pm-visits-mayotte-after-cyclone-chido-destruction |access-date=30 December 2024 |website=France 24 |date=30 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> and announced a recovery plan for the territory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=French prime minister unveils recovery plan for devastated Mayotte after Cyclone Chido |url=https://apnews.com/article/france-mayotte-cyclone-recovery-bayrou-fe2b20abaf98efe31cf413fdd5b85dd5 |access-date=31 December 2024 |website=Associated Press |date=30 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
Due to Chido, schools were closed in most districts in southern Malawi on 16 December.<ref name="OCHA4" /> The European Commission provided additional emergency assistance, including €900,000 in aid, to support communities affected by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte and Mozambique,<ref>{{Cite web |title=EU mobilises support for Mayotte and African countries hit by Cyclone Chido – European Commission |url=https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories/news/eu-mobilises-support-mayotte-and-african-countries-hit-cyclone-chido-2024-12-20_en |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref> while Belgium delivered humanitarian aid to Mayotte.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belgium sends emergency aid to Mayotte after Cyclone Chido |url=https://news.az/news/belgium-sends-emergency-aid-to-mayotte-after-cyclone-chido |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=news.az |language=en}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Tropical cyclones}} * Weather of 2024 * Tropical cyclones in 2024 * Tropical cyclones in the Comoros Islands * Cyclone Kenneth (2019) – Made landfall in a similar region at a similar intensity in Mozambique * Cyclone Gombe (2022) – Another strong cyclone that made landfall in the same region * Hurricane Maria (2017) – An Atlantic hurricane which devastated Puerto Rico at a similar intensity and resulted in a heavily disputed death toll
== Notes == {{Reflist|group=nb}}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons}} * [http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/data/20242025/2024RE04.html MFR Track Data] of Intense Tropical Cyclone Chido {{In lang|fr}} * [https://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tcdat/tc24/WPAC/04S.Chido/ 04S.CHIDO]{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} from the United States Naval Research Laboratory * {{ReliefWeb-link|tc-2024-000224-moz}}
{{2024–25 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season buttons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chido}} Category:2024 in the Comoros Category:2024 in Madagascar Category:2024 in Mauritius Category:2024 in Mayotte Category:2024 in Malawi Category:2024 in Seychelles Category:December 2024 in France Category:December 2024 in Mozambique Category:2024–25 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season Category:Cyclones in the Comoros Category:Cyclones in Madagascar Category:Cyclones in Mauritius Category:Cyclones in Malawi Category:Cyclones in Mayotte Category:Cyclones in Mozambique Category:Cyclones in Seychelles Category:Intense tropical cyclones