Devastation in Mayotte: Residents Describe Cyclone's Aftermath

Residents of Mayotte describe catastrophic conditions following Cyclone Chido, which brought winds exceeding 225 km/h. With infrastructure devastated and shortages of water, food, and power, over 20 casualties have been reported. French authorities, including President Macron, are responding to the crisis while aid efforts face significant challenges.

Residents of Mayotte are grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, the fiercest storm to strike the island in 90 years, characterized by "apocalyptic scenes" of destruction. The cyclone's winds exceeded 225 km/h (140 mph), causing widespread devastation, particularly in impoverished areas where makeshift housing was common. "We've had no water for three days now," recounted a Mamoudzou resident, adding that community members are facing hunger and thirst in the wake of the catastrophe.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to visit Mayotte "in the coming days" to express solidarity with residents and aid in rescue efforts. As the emergency unfolds, rescue workers, including reinforcements from mainland France, are combing through the ruins to locate survivors. While 20 fatalities have been confirmed, local officials warn that the actual death count could be dramatically higher, with estimates suggesting it could reach the thousands.

With many areas lacking power and telecommunication infrastructure compromised, emergency operations have been severely impeded. Some regions are beginning to receive tap water, but many residents, including healthcare professionals like Amalia Mazon, report that the water supply remains unsafe for consumption. "The water here is completely yellow. It's unusable for us," Mazon stated, emphasizing the lack of essential resources.

The cyclone has also impacted the healthcare system, leading to a declaration from Acting French Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq regarding its degradation. Mayotte, a French territory with deep historical ties, is heavily dependent on financial aid from France, and the severe storm exacerbates longstanding challenges of poverty and unemployment, which affect approximately 75% of the population.

Eyewitness accounts from Mayotte illustrate the utter destruction. "Everything is damaged, nearly everything," said resident John Balloz about the ruined infrastructure. Senator Salama Ramia expressed alarm over food scarcity, stating there are residents who have gone without nourishment since the storm struck.

French authorities have mobilized resources to assist recovery efforts with hundreds of soldiers dispatched to lend support. However, officials caution that the challenges of accurately counting casualties are compounded by a significant population of undocumented migrants, complicating rescue and recovery assessments.

As Cyclone Chido continues its path, having already affected Mozambique with flooding and destruction, experts cite climate change as a factor in the increasing intensity of storms. Reports indicate that local communities will require substantial support in the coming days as they start to rebuild their lives in the wake of this disaster.