Cyclone Chido, characterized as one of the most intense storms seen recently, caused significant damage and upheaval as it swept through Madagascar and Mayotte, leaving many residents grappling with loss and uncertainty.
On Friday, the cyclone, which brought gusty winds and torrential rains, was determined to be the most destructive system to hit the region since 1934. "Beaucoup d’entre nous avons tout perdu," lamented François-Xavier Bieuville, the Prefect of Mayotte, highlighting the scale of devastation experienced by the local population (reported by AFP). The airport suffered severe damage, particularly to the control tower, necessitating the initial resumption of services using military aircraft for emergency transport.
Mayotte, often considered one of France's most impoverished territories, braced itself as the cyclone approached. Emergency measures were quickly mobilized, with Minister of Transport François Durovray announcing via X, "Le trafic sera dans un premier temps rétabli avec des avions militaires de secours." The severity of the cyclone prompted officials to call on residents to stay confined and remain united during the crisis.
With over 15,000 households losing power, the situation remained dire, as Minister of Ecological Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher tweeted details of the electrical failures. Though the alert level shifted from purple to red, signaling the onset of rescue operations and recovery efforts, officials warned, "Le cyclone n’est pas terminé."
Ibrahim Mcolo, a local from Chiconi, described the chaos around him: "Je vois toutes les tôles des voisins s’envoler, des câbles arrachés. Même dans notre maison qui est bien protégée, l’eau rentre. Je la sens trembler" (reported by AFP). His testimony provided stark insight on the unexpected intensity of the cyclone as it made landfall, overwhelming even the most prepared homes.
Meanwhile, conditions on mainland Madagascar proved to be less dire than anticipated, even as Cyclone Chido passed dangerously close to the northern coast. The National Bureau for Risk Management and Catastrophe (BNGRC) reported no significant damage or casualties resulting from the cyclone, stating, "Pas de toit qui s’arrachait, pas d’arbre qui tombait, pas de quartiers inondés, pour le moment," according to Jahda Hermine Tsirinary (district chief).
The preparations made prior to its arrival seemed to pay off as local authorities enforced safety measures including suspensions of sea travel, contributing to fewer reported incidents during the cyclone's intensity.
Despite the relatively mild impact felt across some parts of Madagascar, Antsiranana and Vohémar remain on high alert, with some residents reporting their concerns about potential wind damage and floods. "En guise de précaution, ils ont fermé l’après-midi," noted Tsirinary, adding they allowed schools and community centers to close early.
Currently categorized as “cyclone tropical intense,” Chido had been anticipated to remain unpredictable, pacing north of Madagascar with winds clocking at 185 km/h and gusts surfacing to 260 km/h reported by Météo Madagascar.
French President Emmanuel Macron ensured support was being mobilized, stating, "Tout le pays est aux côtés des Mahorais," expressing governmental solidarity with those affected (reported on X). The gravity of the situation precipitated the deployment of additional military resources, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirming the transfer of 250 personnel to assist local emergency services.
Local officials noted enormous material damage, underscoring the urgency for support—"On a des dégâts matériels énormes," reported Mamoudzou Mayor Ambdilwahedou Soumailan during an interview (on BFMTV). He explained how emergency crews were working to clear roads for rescue vehicles and provide avenues for aid to reach those stranded.
The full assessment of damages and the effectiveness of response maneuvers will only be grasped over the following days as the situation stabilizes. About 100,000 individuals residing within precarious housing throughout the archipelago had been targeted by authorities for evacuation to safe shelters.
Chido may be moving away from the islands, but it is expected to remain “extremely dangerous” for the next 18 to 24 hours, posing potential threats to the coasts of Mozambique as it continues its unpredictable route through the region.
The experience of Cyclone Chido stands as both harrowing and enlightening for the island's inhabitants. It reiterates the resilience of communities and sets the stage for substantial discussions around climate preparedness and infrastructural resilience—topics growing urgent with each storm season.