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Climate & Environment
14 December 2024

Cyclone Chido Leaves Mayotte Reeling From Catastrophic Damage

The French territory faces devastation as two lives are lost and infrastructure severely impacted.

On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido unleashed its fury on Mayotte, the French territory located in the Indian Ocean, leaving behind devastation typically not seen since the 1930s. With sustained winds reaching up to 226 km/h (approximately 140 mph), the storm made its presence felt dramatically, as local meteorologists and officials described Chido as the most violent and destructive cyclone to hit the region since 1934. "On remonte probablement au cyclone du 18 février 1934, donc il y a 90 ans, pour trouver un impact aussi violent sur le département," stated François Gourand, a forecaster with Météo-France, underlining the exceptional nature of this event.

The powerful storm resulted in at least two confirmed fatalities and widespread damage throughout the archipelago. Authorities reported significant destruction with buildings torn apart, roofs blown off, and the infrastructure of Mayotte severely compromised, particularly at Pamandzi Airport where the control tower suffered extensive damage. "Des dégâts énormes," commented François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, highlighting the magnitude of the situation.

The impact of Cyclone Chido was amplified by unusually warm waters in the surrounding ocean, attributed to long-term climate change. According to meteorologist Gourand, "Chido proved to be especially intense because of the marine environment, which has reached temperatures close to 30 degrees Celsius – perfect breeding ground for such cyclonic phenomena. A suitable condition was also the low wind shear, which allowed the cyclone to maintain its structure and strength."

Mayotte, often referred to as France's poorest department, has faced challenges amplified by this natural disaster. Initial reports revealed electrical outages affecting over 15,000 households and disrupted communications across the islands. Local officials, including Madi Madi Souf, president of the mayors' association, voiced their concerns over the catastrophe, stating, "La situation est catastrophique. On ne sait pas s’il y a des victimes, mais vu les dégâts c’est probable." This reflects the dire circumstances many residents are currently experiencing.

Prime Minister François Bayrou, who has just taken the helm of the French government, described the cyclone as one of unforeseen violence. He convened crisis meetings, and the government mandated the mobilization of emergency services to provide relief and restore order. According to the French Interior Ministry, around 1,600 police and gendarmes have been deployed to assist the local population and help prevent potential looting amid the chaos.

Throughout the day, as the cyclone battered the territory, reports came flooding in with dire images; fallen trees, uprooted power lines, and extensive flooding left many residents barricaded inside their homes. "Many of us have lost everything," said Bieuville, expressing the heartbreak of countless families caught up in this catastrophic event.

Authorities have turned over 70 schools and gymnasiums across Mayotte as makeshift shelters, prioritizing more than 100,000 residents living in substandard housing identified as particularly vulnerable to such severe weather. Local officials stressed, "The priority is to keep people safe," reiterative of the swift response to protect their communities even as the emergency intensified.

Meanwhile, the cyclone continues its path toward the eastern coast of Africa, expected to reach Mozambique and pose additional threats to local populations there. Reports warn potentially millions may be affected across the region, heightening fears as Cyclone Chido prompts broader humanitarian concerns. Various nations, including Malawi and Zimbabwe, are bracing for potential flooding and landslides as the cyclone’s reach extends across land.

Climate-related disasters seem to be intensifying with each season, and studies highlight the growing concern for such effects due to climate change. Chido serves as another harsh reminder of the unforeseen toll worsened weather events can have on vulnerable communities even as officials strive to mitigate damage and provide immediate relief efforts. The Terra Incognita of proper infrastructure and emergency preparedness remains alarmingly prevalent, as emphasized by the great losses observed following Cyclone Chido.

The people of Mayotte are left to pick up the pieces amid this catastrophe. The affected communities face both immediate recovery challenges and the long-term repercussions of climate change on their environment. Amid these tough times, the call for solidarity rings ever more apparent as the nation rallies together to support those hardest hit.