The latest storm news from the New York Times said that Typhoon Chido made landfall in Mozambique on December 15 after causing severe damage and killing a number of people in Mayotte - a French archipelago with about 300,000 people in the Indian Ocean.
Typhoon Chido has sustained wind speeds of 185 km/h on December 15, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of the US Navy. With this intensity, Typhoon Chido will become a strong storm equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic.
Chido previously swept across northern Japan on December 14 and hit Mayotte, an island about 800 km east of Mozambique.
French interior minister Bruno Retailleau said that the preliminary count found that several people had died as a result of the impact of Typhoon Chido but could not provide accurate figures.
President Emmanuel Macron said on social media that the French government is supporting relief efforts in Mayotte.
Mayotte has two main islands and a total area of about 375 square kilometers. Mayotte's population density is the highest among French overseas territories.
CNN's latest typhoon report, citing data from the French weather agency, said Typhoon Chido brought winds exceeding 220 km/h, tearing up the metal roofs of houses in Mayotte.
Our island has suffered the most intense and destructive storms since 1934. Many of us have lost everything, Mayotte province chief Francois- Xavier Bieuville informed.
The French interior ministry said that 1,600 police and soldiers were deployed to "assist people and prevent the risk of robberies" after Typhoon Chido swept through the territory.
Comoros, an island group north of Mayotte, was also hit by Typhoon Chido and the highest warning has been issued for some areas. Comoros authorities have expressed concern about a group of 11 fishermen who set sail early last week and have so far not responded.
Comoros authorities have ordered all ships to anchor at ports, closed the main airport and government offices. Schools were ordered to close on December 13 in response to the storm.
Chido is expected to continue its eastward trajectory after hitting Mozambique, forecasters say. The Mozambique Disaster Agency has warned 2.5 million people could be affected in northern provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula.
Non-ceasing countries Malawi and Zimbabwe are also preparing to respond to strong storms. The Malawi Disaster Management Department has predicted flooding in some areas and has urgently advised people to move to higher ground. In Zimbabwe, authorities have warned people to prepare for evacuation.
December to March is the typhoon season in the southeastern Indian Ocean and southern Africa has recorded a series of strong typhoons in recent years.
Hurricane Idai in 2019 killed more than 1,300 people in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Typhoon Freddy killed more than 1,000 people in several African countries last year.
Studies say storms are getting worse due to climate change. Storms could leave poor countries in southern Africa facing major humanitarian crises.
