Fatshimetrie
A spectacle of desolation was played out in Mayotte after the devastating passage of Cyclone Chido. Material damage, human lives taken away, broken infrastructure, the natural disaster left behind a landscape of destruction. The inhabitants of this French department, already faced with socio-economic fragility, now find themselves facing an unprecedented humanitarian emergency. But how can we explain the unprecedented violence of this meteorological phenomenon?
The exceptional trajectory taken by Cyclone Chido is one of the keys to understanding its severity. Usually protected from storms by its proximity to Madagascar, Mayotte was this time directly affected by the cyclone’s straight trajectory. A rare meteorological event that led to a disaster of unusual magnitude on this tiny territory in the Indian Ocean. While cyclones of this intensity are not rare in this part of the world, the combination of factors such as stable winds, warm water and the unusual trajectory created a devastating cocktail.
Favorable weather conditions allowed Chido to strengthen and maintain its destructive intensity. The weak wind facilitated its structuring, while high ocean temperatures fueled its power. Climate change, by increasing the temperature of ocean waters, plays a significant role in the intensification of cyclonic phenomena. Scientists are warning of the link between climate change and the increase in the intensity of tropical cyclones, predicting an amplification of these phenomena as the planet warms.
Faced with this unprecedented disaster, the humanitarian emergency is now at the heart of concerns. It is imperative to mobilize resources to help the victims, rebuild destroyed infrastructure and provide medical assistance to the affected populations. National and international solidarity must be demonstrated to support Mayotte in this ordeal, and implement preventive measures to limit the effects of natural disasters in the future.
Cyclone Chido will remain etched in the memory of the Mahorais as a brutal reminder of the fragility of our environment in the face of the forces of nature. It invites us to rethink our relationship with our planet, to act collectively to preserve our common habitat and to anticipate the consequences of climate change. By learning the lessons of this tragedy, we may be able to prevent such disasters from happening again in the future.