**Mayotte Declares Exceptional Natural Disaster as Cyclone Chido Strikes**

**At least 31 fatalities reported, with thousands missing as emergency measures are implemented amidst critical infrastructure damage.**

An exceptional state of natural disaster has been declared in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, after Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc across the region over the weekend. French officials confirmed that at least 31 individuals have died as a consequence of the cyclone, with many others still unaccounted for, marking a significant crisis for the island community.

This unprecedented declaration in France allows for expedited administrative responses to address the grave impact of the cyclone. President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Mayotte on Thursday as the local government struggles to manage the urgent needs of its residents. The emergency protocol is set for one month, but it may be prolonged as assessments continue.

Minister for Overseas Territories, François-Noël Buffet, emphasized the necessity of mobilizing exceptional resources to restore essential services and construct a long-term recovery plan for the stricken region. Emergency services have been working to provide food and water supplies while clearing debris to establish critical pathways. Concerns are building regarding possible outbreaks of infectious diseases due to shortages of clean drinking water and rationed supplies in local shops.

With half of Mayotte’s territory still without electrical power, a night curfew has been instituted to deter looting, further complicating the day-to-day lives of residents. Known as one of the poorest regions in France, many people in Mayotte reside in informal settlements plagued by inadequate infrastructure, making them particularly vulnerable to natural disasters.

Macron's government has faced criticism over a perceived lack of investment in the territory, especially as Mayotte has served as a refuge for about 100,000 migrants seeking asylum in France. As Cyclone Chido, described as the worst storm to impact the islands in nearly a century, reached wind speeds exceeding 225 km/h (140 mph), it devastated already precarious habitats constructed with sheet metal, leaving a trail of destruction across the landscape.

Following its impact on Mayotte, the cyclone continued its destructive path through Africa, claiming at least 45 lives in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi. Authorities continue to monitor and assess the aftermath of this natural disaster as rescue operations are launched.