The disaster came at a speed of 260 KM, the worst storm in 90 years, many families were destroyed

Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc in Mozambique, killing 94 people and injuring 768 people so far. The country’s National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) gave this information. The powerful storm affected more than 622,000 people and left widespread destruction in the northern provinces.

Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique on 15 December. The first 24 hours brought winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) and 250 mm of rain. The typhoon first hit Cabo Delgado province and then moved towards the Nyasa and Nampula regions, which have already been hit by cyclones several times.

Impact on education and health sectors
The cyclone has severely affected Mozambique’s already vulnerable education and health sectors. More than 109,000 students were affected by the cyclone, as schools were heavily damaged. And 52 health units are also no longer functional, hampering access to essential medical services in already underserved areas. The entire system of the country has collapsed and the government is making all possible efforts to bring people’s lives back on track as soon as possible.

Cyclone Chido also devastated the French Indian Ocean region of Mayotte before reaching Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Mayotte was hit by its worst storm in 90 years, killing 35 people. While in Mozambique this crisis has become more serious due to climate change.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative for Mozambique, Olamide Harrison, said on Wednesday that the country’s 2024 economic growth rate may be reduced from the first estimate of 4.3%. This is due to the cyclone and post-election civil unrest. In October, Daniel Chapo, the candidate of Mozambique’s ruling party Frelimo, was declared the winner of the presidential election.