As Cyclone Chido strikes the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, the local population faces dire conditions with at least 11 confirmed deaths and a significant impact on infrastructure as emergency responses mobilize in the wake of unprecedented storm damage.
Devastation in Mayotte: Cyclone Chido Claims Lives and Causes Widespread Damage
Devastation in Mayotte: Cyclone Chido Claims Lives and Causes Widespread Damage
Cyclone Chido wreaks havoc on France's Mayotte, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and significant destruction as emergency response efforts begin.
France's Indian Ocean territory, Mayotte, has been devastated by Cyclone Chido, reported to be the most severe cyclone to impact the islands in nearly a century. The violent storm made landfall on Saturday with wind gusts exceeding 225 km/h (140 mph), with at least 11 lives lost and the possibility of further casualties due to the chaos it has unleashed. The island's infrastructure has been ravaged; an urgent response from French President Emmanuel Macron indicates that France will provide necessary support.
The local situation is severe, as authorities report that 250 firefighters and security personnel have been deployed to assist with rescue efforts, with some already on the ground. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau disclosed that “all makeshift homes have been completely destroyed,” exacerbating concerns about a potentially high death count. Reports indicate up to 246 injuries in addition to the fatalities, though the numbers are still being verified, with differing accounts from various news sources.
The cyclone's wrath has left the majority of Mayotte’s 300,000 residents, mainly living in shanties with metal roofs, without homes. Basic utilities such as electricity, water, and internet services have all been interrupted. The French government is responding with military aid, sending a transport plane loaded with essential supplies and emergency personnel to the affected region. Damage assessments indicate the Pamandzi Airport has sustained major destruction, particularly to its control tower, impacting air traffic. Initial operations will rely on military aid to facilitate essential flights and shipping for resupply.
Before the cyclone hit its peak intensity, there were reports of extensive damage with uprooted trees and demolished roofs. The head of the firefighters' union, Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, remarked that even emergency responders were unable to operate effectively due to communication breakdowns. "The emergency services command centre has been evacuated and is functioning at partial capacity," he stated.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou, having recently taken office, labeled the cyclone "exceptionally severe” and confirmed that he is receiving constant updates about the ongoing situation. Following the initial purple alert, the island's warning level has been downgraded to red, allowing for emergency services to react more freely. Retailleau noted that such extreme weather events had not occurred in Mayotte since 1934.
After impacting Mayotte, Cyclone Chido has moved across the Mozambique Channel, where neighboring coastal regions like Pemba are experiencing heavy rainfall and winds of up to 185 km/h (115 mph). Videos surfacing on social media depict scenes of flooding in Pemba city, with extensive damage reported to infrastructure. Although forecasts suggest winds may subside, heavy rainfall and flooding are anticipated spreading towards southern Malawi and into Zimbabwe.
The aftermath of Cyclone Chido embodies a growing model of climate-related disasters, drawing attention to the need for improved preparation and resilient infrastructures in vulnerable regions.
