On 30 October, the India Meteorological Department (IMD)[nb 2] estimated that Chapala attained peak three-minute sustained winds of 215 km/h (135 mph).

The American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)[nb 3] estimated sustained winds of 240 km/h (150 mph), making Chapala among the strongest cyclones on record in the Arabian Sea.

High winds and heavy rainfall resulted in an island-wide power outage, and severe damage was compounded by Cyclone Megh, which struck Yemen a week later.

While Chapala encountered less favorable conditions after passing Socotra, it maintained much of its intensity; upon entering the Gulf of Aden on 2 November, it became the strongest known cyclone in that body of water.

Ahead of the cyclone's final landfall, widespread evacuations occurred across southeastern Yemen, including in areas controlled by al-Qaeda, amid the country's ongoing civil war.

After cyclones Chapala and Megh, several countries, non-government organizations, and agencies within the United Nations provided monetary and material assistance to Yemen.

The country faced food and fuel shortages, and residual storm effects contributed to an outbreak of locusts and dengue fever, the latter of which killed seven people.

On 26 October, the system developed a distinct low-pressure area, which gradually became better defined, with good outflow to the north and south.

Nine hours later, the agency upgraded it to a deep depression,[4] and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) classified the system as Tropical Cyclone 04A at 21:00 UTC.

With low wind shear,[4] as well as record-warm 30 °C (86 °F) water temperatures,[8] Chapala began a 33-hour period of rapid deepening, in which the barometric pressure dropped 59 hPa (1.74 inHg).

[4] Initially, the IMD forecast that Chapala would intensify further into a super cyclonic storm,[15] and the JTWC anticipated it strengthening into a Category 5-equivalent.

[4] The structure became disorganized due to increased easterly wind shear and interaction with the Arabian Peninsula to the north,[23] allowing cooler and drier air to enter the circulation.

[4] By 30 October, well ahead of the storm, officials in Oman relayed the potential for flash flooding and high waves along the coast.

[27] The public was advised to stay away from low-lying areas, while fishermen were asked to avoid venturing into the sea,[28] because of the potential for waves reaching 5 to 7 m (16 to 23 ft) in height.

[32] Eastern Puntland was hardest-hit,[31] where the cyclone damaged 45 km (28 mi) of roads,[32] and nine schools; about 2,000 students had to continue learning in tents.

There, the storm killed 3,000 sheep and goats, as well as 200 camels; this severely affected the local nomadic population who rely on the livestock for their livelihood.

[36] After Chapala and the subsequent Cyclone Megh, the local Red Cross chapter distributed blankets, sleeping mats, and mattresses to the affected families.

"[13] Rainfall was forecast to total more than several years' worth of precipitation in some areas, bringing fears of "massive debris flows and flash flooding.

Fears of damage and loss of life were compounded by the power vacuum in areas controlled by al-Qaeda, particularly the port city of Mukalla where approximately 300,000 people lived.

[19] The internationally recognized government, which controls most of southern Yemen, announced the suspension of schools in four governorates: Hadhramaut, Socotra, Al Mahrah and Shabwah.

[19] Despite initial reports of three deaths on the island, there were no confirmed fatalities on Socotra, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The resulting runoff triggered flash floods, collected along wadis, or typically dry river beds, and inundated coastal areas several kilometres inland.

[69] Relief distribution was disrupted due to the poor communications in the region, worsened by the ongoing civil war,[44] with the hardest hit areas under al-Qaeda control;[45] aid trucks had to pass security clearances, resulting in delays.

[74] To prevent the spread of disease, officials distributed mosquito nets and began mass-immunizing children under five years old beginning in early November.

[77] The International Organization for Migration provided 41,000 litres (11,000 US gal) of water per day in Shabwah and Abyan governorates,[66] and also helped clean sewage and storm debris.

[45] The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees provided emergency beds, cooking utensils, and other supplies to about 1,600 families.