Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday after causing destruction and fatalities in Mayotte, a French archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
The cyclone reached sustained wind speeds of 115 miles per hour on Sunday morning, categorizing it as a Category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the U.S. military’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Chido made landfall in Cabo Delgado province, just south of the city of Pemba. As it moves inland, the storm is tracking southwest and is expected to weaken significantly, as forecasted by Météo-France. However, Cabo Delgado and the neighboring province of Nampula are still anticipated to experience strong gusts, heavy rainfall, and hazardous sea conditions.
On Saturday, Chido passed north of Madagascar before impacting Mayotte, located about 500 miles east of Mozambique. French officials reported several fatalities and significant damage to an airport and other infrastructure on the island.
France’s interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, indicated that a provisional tally showed at least a few casualties, though a precise death toll was not available. "The island seems devastated," he stated.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on social media that the government was providing assistance with relief efforts on Mayotte.
Mayotte comprises two main islands and covers a total area of about 145 square miles, making it the most densely populated of France’s overseas territories.
As of Sunday morning, Mayotte remained under a red cyclone alert, although France’s official weather service reported that skies were clearing as the storm moved away.
By Monday, the remnants of Cyclone Chido are expected to move into southern Malawi, bringing heavy rains, gusty winds, and an increased risk of flooding. The weather system is predicted to gradually dissipate by Tuesday as it heads toward Zimbabwe.