In brief
The government of Mozambique has reported that the death toll from Cyclone Chido has nearly doubled, rising to 75 as rescue efforts reach previously cut-off areas. The cyclone struck Cabo Delgado, a province already reeling from years of insurgency, leaving destruction in its wake. Over 740 injuries have also been reported.
Rescue work is challenging due to washed-out roads. Isadora Zoni from the UN highlights the extensive destruction, stating that entire buildings have been flattened. Images from the area depict the severe impact, with mud homes completely washed away and school structures reduced to ruins. Hundreds of thousands had already fled the region due to conflict, and now face further hardships from this cyclone.Cyclone Chido, classified as a Category 3 hurricane, swept through the Indian Ocean, affecting Mozambique and the French island of Mayotte. The UN warns that this cyclone may be a precursor to a brutally rainy season, which historically brings severe storms and flooding. In recent years, extreme weather has displaced nearly 140,000 people in Mozambique, escalating the humanitarian crisis.
