At least 14 people have died after Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc on the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, making it the most severe storm to hit the French archipelago north of Madagascar in nearly 90 years. Chido struck on Saturday with winds exceeding 226 kilometers per hour (140 miles per hour), leveling makeshift housing, damaging government buildings, and leaving the island's infrastructure severely crippled.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who called the situation "dramatic," acknowledged the challenges of determining the exact death toll, as many bodies had already been interred following local customs, which require burial within 24 hours. "For the toll, it's going to be complicated, because Mayotte is a Muslim land where the dead are buried within 24 hours," Retailleau told reporters, highlighting the difficulties rescuers face amid the widespread destruction.
The aftermath of the cyclone found Mayotte's population of around 320,000 struggling without access to clean drinking water, electricity, or reliable communication, as all major infrastructure has been impacted. Prime Minister François Bayrou noted, "Our island is being hit by the most violent and destructive cyclone since 1934. Many of us have lost everything."
Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage throughout Mayotte, where the government has reported at least 11 confirmed deaths and numerous injuries, with reports indicating at least 246 others were injured. A hospital report suggests some individuals are battling severe injuries. Local authorities noted the cyclone not only struck housing but also left emergency responders effectively paralyzed without communication capabilities. “Even emergency responders are locked down,” said Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, the head of Mayotte's firefighters' union.
The storm's impact extended beyond Mayotte, unleashing its fury on neighboring regions as it headed toward Mozambique, where it made landfall early Sunday around 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of the city of Pemba. Heavy rainfall and sustained winds affected Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces, raising alarm among local authorities as the cyclone continued to threaten additional regions with wind gusts strong enough to bring massive disruption.
“Cyclone Chido is similar to cyclones like Gombe and Freddy, both of which brought significant loss of life and damage just previous years,” noted meteorologist François Gourand from Meteo France, signaling the growing trend of increasingly severe storms attributed to climate change. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimated about 1.7 million people are at risk, emphasizing the urgent need for aid.
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to respond to the crises as quickly as possible, stating, “France will be there for the people of Mayotte.” Around 250 firefighters and security personnel have been dispatched to assist, with additional support from military aircraft to deliver supplies and other rescue personnel. While necessary reinforcements have begun to arrive, the cyclone's devastation presents considerable hurdles to providing timely assistance.
Emergency operations were hampered due to major damage sustained at the Pamandzi airport on Mayotte, which has been described as suffering major damage, especially to its control tower. It’s reported the airport will initially serve military aid planes as conventional air traffic is halted.
Residents of Mayotte expressed alarm as they returned to find neighborhoods obliterated, trees uprooted, and debris strewn across streets. Largely residing in precarious shantytowns made from sheet metal, tens of thousands of people found their homes uninhabitable after the winds and heavy rains swept through the area. “Everything has been swept away, everything is razed,” lamented Mounira, whose home was destroyed.
This cyclone followed warnings issued months prior, as Mayotte and Mozambique faced threats from the severe weather patterns increasingly ominous due to shifting climate scenarios. Currently under red alert restrictions, residents are confined to stable shelters, and only emergency services have been granted permission to travel outdoors.
With the cyclone season stretching from December to March, already beleaguered regions have been ill-prepared for the compounded effects of multiple storms. Local governments and international agencies are bracing for significant rainfall, potential flooding, and ensuing humanitarian crises. The specter of diseases like cholera, malaria, and dengue fever remain prevalent, as stagnant water and overcrowded living conditions risk exacerbation of public health challenges. The previous examples of Cyclone Idai and Cyclone Freddy have compounded these concerns, with casualties and damage spilling over national borders.
Moving onto the mainland, Mozambique's emergency officials have voiced fears of severe impacts on nearby populations. Approximately 2.5 million people might be affected as Chido continues its deadly path north-eastward, raising alarms for potential evacuations and setting plans for humanitarian intervention.
Efforts are currently underway to facilitate access to resources necessary for recovery. Over the coming days, agencies including UNICEF are working to provide support for individuals impacted across the stricken areas. Making provisions to restore order and assist local governments, French officials are keeping vigilant watch as they navigate the compounded challenges of the cyclone’s aftermath.
Officials stress the importance of readiness for more severe weather events and international cooperation addressing the climate crisis at large. For many communities across the Indian Ocean region, the storm and its continuing aftermath serve as yet another stark reminder of their vulnerability and the urgent need for assistance.