Cyclone Chido

News: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte, France. Cyclone Chido Explanation

About Cyclone Chido

• Cyclone Chido was a powerful tropical cyclone that struck Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, in December 2024.
• With sustained wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h (124 mph) and gusts surpassing 225 km/h (140 mph), it was the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in at least 90 years.

About Mayotte: Mayotte is an archipelago located in the northern Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique. As a French overseas department, it comprises two main islands: Grande-Terre (the main island) and Petite-Terre (a smaller island), along with several islets. Mayotte is known for its rich biodiversity, including one of the world’s largest enclosed lagoons.

Cyclone Classification:

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) categorizes cyclones based on wind speeds

• Depression: Wind speeds of 31–49 km/h
• Deep Depression: 50–61 km/h
• Cyclonic Storm: 62–88 km/h
• Severe Cyclonic Storm: 89–117 km/h
• Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: 118–166 km/h
• Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm: 167–221 km/h
• Super Cyclonic Storm: Above 222 km/h