Tropical Cyclones Cause Severe Disruption in Southwestern Indian Ocean Region

Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi have wreaked havoc across the Southwestern Indian Ocean, severely impacting Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi with significant casualties, infrastructure damage, and massive displacement. Efforts to address the humanitarian crisis include emergency relief and the activation of disaster preparedness protocols, underscoring the ongoing challenges of the cyclone season.

The region of the Southwestern Indian Ocean has recently encountered severe tropical cyclones, marking a disruptive onset to the 2024/2025 cyclone season. Cyclone Chido, categorized at Level 4, peaked with winds reaching 220 km/h, causing extensive devastation, including at least 172 fatalities across Mozambique, Mayotte, and Malawi. Over 135,800 individuals in Madagascar alone experienced significant infrastructural damage and displacement, exacerbated by subsequent flooding.

Cyclone Chido’s impact extended to the Comoros islands, where a week of mourning was declared due to the cyclone’s toll on 64,167 residents, with substantial agricultural losses reported. The cyclone severely affected Mayotte, with 70% of the population impacted, leading to critical damage to housing and essential services. Currently, approximately 100,000 individuals are temporarily housed under inadequate conditions across 70 centers.

In Mozambique, the Initial Rapid Assessment indicated that about 90,640 households were disrupted across three provinces, highlighting substantial destruction with 72,160 homes entirely lost. Malawi reported over 46,000 affected individuals as cyclonic winds destroyed numerous homes, stressing the ongoing requirement for effective disaster management responses in the area.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi followed closely, impacting northern Madagascar and leading to disturbances at educational institutions affecting over 8,000 children. The Government of Madagascar has since mobilized resources to assist the affected regions. Upon crossing into Mozambique, Dikeledi brought further destruction, notably in the Nampula province, which had previously suffered from Chido.

Further complicating the situation, Cyclones Honde and Garance emerged in February 2025, inflicting additional rain and destruction, particularly in southern Madagascar. The aftermath of these natural disasters has resulted in significant flooding across Southeastern Africa, with Malawi and Mozambique also experiencing widespread displacements and severe agricultural impacts following increased rainfall.

Preparedness levels have been tested; however, the anticipated flooding in Mozambique led to timely activation of preventative measures. This Emergency Appeal emphasizes the necessity of resources for humanitarian assistance, a concerted effort to bolster readiness among National Societies, and enhancing community resilience as the cyclone season enters its critical final months.

The cyclical devastation of tropical cyclones in the Southwestern Indian Ocean highlights a growing humanitarian crisis across regions such as Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi. Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi initiated widespread damage with significant loss of life and displacement, underscoring the urgent need for effective relief and preparedness strategies. As additional cyclones increase the risk of flooding and humanitarian challenges, it is imperative that resources are allocated to enhance community resilience and support recovery efforts.

Original Source: reliefweb.int