Cyclone Chido inflicted catastrophic damage on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte on Saturday, with winds reaching up to 220 kilometers (137 miles) per hour, according to local officials. Madi Madi Souf, head of the Mayotte mayors' association, stated, "We don't know if anyone has been killed but, Given the damage it's likely." He characterized the situation as "catastrophic," reflecting the widespread destruction caused by the cyclone as it swept across the archipelago.
The cyclone traveled from east to west, impacting the northern portion of Mayotte and heading toward Mozambique on the African mainland. Météo-France, France's national weather agency, recorded wind speeds of at least 226 kilometers per hour at Pamandzi Airport. With the storm's eye passing directly over the territory, conditions were predicted to improve later on Saturday as the cyclone moved away.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau shared updates on social media, stating, "There already seems to be very significant damage," and announced the deployment of 140 fresh troops and firefighters to assist recovery efforts. This deployment more than doubles the existing response teams sent earlier.
The cyclone caused widespread power outages, affecting more than 15,000 homes. Environment Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher confirmed this situation through updates on social media. Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, head of Mayotte's firefighters' union, expressed alarm over the conditions, saying, "Even emergency responders are locked down. There's no mobile phone service and we can't reach people on the island." He noted, "Even buildings built to earthquake standards haven't held up," indicating the severity of structural damage.
A state of emergency ensued, and the local prefecture enforced strict lockdown measures for the entire population, including emergency services, starting at 7:00 am (0400 GMT). Road traffic was banned, and the main airport, Dzaoudzi, was closed to prevent additional chaos.
Residents shared harrowing accounts of the cyclone's impact. Ibrahim Mcolo from Grande Terre described the chaos saying, "There is no more electricity. Even in our house, which is well protected, the water is getting in. I can feel it trembling." The destruction was evident with fallen electricity masts, uprooted trees, and roofs torn from homes.
With many people living in vulnerable conditions, local authorities converted over 70 schools and gyms to shelters, prioritizing assistance for 100,000 residents deemed most at risk. The many shanty towns scattered throughout Mayotte, particularly those built on exposed slopes, were particularly susceptible to the cyclone's fierce winds.
Fatima, 57, shared her fears as she stocked up on essentials prior to the storm, stating, "We're really scared." She described preparing with bottles of water, food, and candles, underscoring the community's apprehension as they faced the cyclone's onslaught. Many residents drew comparisons between Chido and past cyclones, with Meteo France warning the current storm's winds could exceed those of cyclone Kamisy from 1984, which had previously left thousands without shelter.
The mayor of Ouangani, Youssouf Ambdi, conveyed his concerns, stating, "There's banging everywhere. We can't go outside but what we can see is Striking. There will definitely be material damage. Let's pray no one is killed." His sentiments echoed the fears shared by many residents across the islands.
The regional health agency reported enhancements to medical resources, prepared to address potential injuries and sickness arising from the cyclone's impacts. A cyclone alert has also affected neighboring areas including the Comoros archipelago, with residents there reporting flooding as well.
Mayotte, known as France's poorest territory, has frequently faced challenges associated with its geographical vulnerabilities. The cyclone's aftermath poses yet another significant test for the already struggling community, which is grappling with the harsh realities of infrastructure destruction and community safety. Recovery plans are underway, but with the full extent of the damage yet to be assessed, locals remain on high alert as they await updates from authorities.