The Comoros Islands are an archipelago in the Mozambique Channel, located in the South Indian Ocean between Madagascar and southeastern Africa. The islands include the country of Comoros as well as the French overseas department of Mayotte. Since 1864, at least 27 tropical cyclones have affected the archipelago, most recently Cyclone Chido in December 2024, which killed at least 20 people when it hit Mayotte.
The island group has a history of deadly and disruptive cyclones. In February and April 1898, cyclones moved through the islands, causing a famine. After cyclones struck in December 1904 and 1905, another famine occurred in the islands, killing 490 people. A cyclone in December 1950 killed 585 people. In January 1983, Severe Tropical Storm Elinah killed 33 people from high winds and floods. In 2019, Cyclone Kenneth killed nine people and injured 200 others.
Climatology.
Due to their low latitude, the islands are rarely affected by tropical cyclones.