Cyclone Chido

Current Context : Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 tropical cyclone with wind speeds exceeding 220 km/h (136 mph), has caused significant devastation in the Indian Ocean region, particularly affecting the French overseas territory of Mayotte and parts of Mozambique.

General Information about Cyclones:

Formation: Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area, characterized by rapid and often destructive air circulation.

Classification: Cyclones are categorized based on wind speeds:

• Category 1: 120-150 km/h
• Category 2: 150-180 km/h
• Category 3: 180-210 km/h
• Category 4: 210-250 km/h
• Category 5: Above 250 km/h

Cyclone Chido’s classification as a Category 4 storm underscores its severity and the extensive damage it has inflicted on the affected regions.

About Mayotte:

• Location:French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and Mozambique.
• Geography:Composed of two main islands, Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre.
• History:Colonized by France in 1843, voted to remain French in 1974.

Mozambique:

• Location:Southeastern Africa, bordered by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini.
• Capital:
• Geography:Long Indian Ocean coastline (~2,700 km).
• Economy:Rich in natural resources, including arable land, water, and natural gas.