Cyclone Chido has wrought havoc on the French territory of Mayotte, leaving the island grappling with extensive devastation following its landfall on December 14, 2024. This cyclone, heralded as the worst storm to hit Mayotte in nearly 90 years, brought with it hurricane-force winds, uprooted trees, downed power lines, and destroyed homes.
The storm, which originated as a tropical disturbance on December 5, rapidly intensified, achieving Category 4 strength. It peaked with sustained winds reaching 250 km/h (155 mph), equivalent to the strongest storms on the Saffir-Simpson scale, before making landfall on Mayotte. According to the French weather service Météo-France, these winds sustained their fury as Chido pushed westward across the Indian Ocean.
François-Xavier Bieuville, the Prefect of Mayotte, indicated on December 15, "I expect the final death toll to reach close to a thousand or even several thousand." With approximately 70% of the population severely affected, the humanitarian situation has become increasingly dire. The storm's fierce winds and flooding destroyed much of the region's infrastructure, leaving many areas isolated—food and clean drinking water supplies are diminishing rapidly.
Reportedly, the cyclone has led to telephone services being knocked out, isolations of families desperate to connect with loved ones. According to Bruno Retailleau, French Interior Minister, "Mayotte is totally devastated," highlighting the extent of the calamity across the territory. Initial assessments of damage have revealed complete destruction of schools, hospitals, and businesses within the capital, Mamoudzou.
The images from satellites following the hurricane's passage starkly display the destruction. Littered streets reveal wooden beams from collapsed buildings intertwined with fallen branches and various debris. This chaotic scene, captured by international media, paints Mayotte as engulfed by disaster—a stark reminder of the hurricane's impact.
Many families were forced to remain indoors during the cyclone, fearing looting, as noted by local resident Fahar Abdoulhamidi, who shared, "Nobody believed it would be this big." Families like his found themselves at the mercy of fierce winds and rising waters, losing the safety of their home as the storm raged around them.
Despite the immediate chaos, aid has begun trickling to the affected areas. France employed military vessels and aircraft for supply deliveries, responding quickly to address the urgent needs of those impacted, as Retailleau confirmed the deployment of daily airlifts carrying 20 tons of food and drinking water. Local senator Salama Ramia made an urgent call for aid, articulately expressing, "It’s urgent aid arrives, especially when you see children, babies, to whom we have nothing concrete to offer." This speaks volumes to the immediate needs of the population as they face dire conditions.
This cyclone follows numerous climatic catastrophes impacting various parts of the world, compelling experts to warn about the aggravation of extreme weather tied to climate change. With rising temperatures, correspondingly increasing storm intensity poses substantial risks. This demographic has become more palpable here as Mayotte, home to over 320,000 residents, struggles with high poverty rates, with approximately 77% beneath the poverty line.
The cyclone made the global fight against climate change seem more pressing than ever, raising concerns about the demographic pressures to which France and the European Union must respond. Amid the destruction, the public speculates about the government's capacity to assist the many vulnerable individuals affected. Bruno Retailleau reaffirmed, "It will take days and days to ascertain exact casualty figures," intensifying worries surrounding rescue operations.
French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to support Mayotte during these distressing times, stating he would visit the territory following this tragic event, determined to grasp the breadth of the devastation. Observing the aftermath, he plans to declare a period of national mourning for those affected and for the lost lives—an acknowledgement of the tragic consequences Cyclone Chido has left behind.
The aftermath now requires careful recovery operations, as the only mode of connection to the outside world has been compromised. Many have lost their livelihoods, homes, and loved ones. The focus, now more than ever, is ensuring effective relief access to stabilize the affected communities, reminding local and international observers alike of the fragility tied to environmental instability. With urgent circumstances woven through the hearts of Mayotte's residents, the need for resilience and support remains increasingly evident as their plight continues.
