Tens of thousands of people are still without access to water in Mayotte following the devastating effects of Cyclone Chido, which struck the French Indian Ocean territory on December 14, 2023. With the reported death toll reaching at least 39, and over 4,136 individuals injured, the government and emergency services are racing to find missing persons and restore basic necessities.
Preliminary estimates from France's interior ministry indicate the death toll could rise, as local officials warn it may reach several hundred due to the extensive damage and many regions being cut off from rescue teams. The prefect of Mayotte warned media outlets, "The work of identifying the victims of the cyclone continues, in coordination with local officials and associations." Assessments reveal infrastructure damage on an unprecedented scale, with many homes completely destroyed across the archipelago.
Chido was the worst cyclone to impact Mayotte in 90 years, bringing wind speeds topping 225 km/h (140 mph). Residents describe the ferocity of the winds, with one teacher named Nasrine stating, "It was like a steamroller, it crushed everything." Streets of Mamoudzou, the island’s capital, have been littered with debris and shattered lives as people begin the long process of recovery.
Health officials are sounding alarms over potential outbreaks of infectious diseases sparked by the lack of clean drinking water and stagnant floodwaters. Access to potable water is still severely limited, with many shops rationing supplies. "Everyone is rushing to the stores for water. There is a general shortage," reported Ali Ahmidi Youssouf, reflecting the crisis in Pamandzi.
To combat looting, authorities have imposed curfew restrictions from 22:00 to 04:00. Mayor Ambdilwahedou Soumaila remarked, "We don't have electricity. When night falls, there are people who take advantage of the situation." Half of the region remains without power, complicate relief efforts.
Efforts to stabilize the situation include the establishment of field hospitals, with one equipped with maternity facilities set up to handle the surge of medical needs. Reported by France's interior ministry, humanitarian operations are currently being escalated; more than 100,000 liters of water are being distributed daily, and supplies are being sent via air bridges from neighboring islands.
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his support, announcing plans to visit the island, signaling the French government's commitment to assist its overseas territory. Prime Minister François Bayrou stated, "I have never seen a disaster of this magnitude on national soil," emphasizing the urgency for recovery efforts.
Conditions continue to be precarious, with local residents improvising makeshift shelters and hammering metal sheets onto roofs as they brace for the rainy season. There is serious concern about buildings being structurally sound, particularly schools acting as temporary shelters for displaced families. Teams of engineers and architects have begun assessing potential dangers to prevent additional tragedies.
Cyclone Chido's aftermath is not only felt within Mayotte. The cyclone also caused fatalities and considerable destruction across Mozambique and Malawi, with numbers reported as high as 45 deaths and severe damages affecting thousands more. Authorities from both nations are dealing with the aftermath as recovery efforts are also underway there.
Experts warn this pattern of increasingly severe storms is tied to climate change, with warmer ocean waters fueling stronger cyclones. Unfortunately, Mayotte, one of France's poorest territories, struggles with limited capabilities to manage such catastrophic events, which only amplifies the burden on its already stretched resources.
Overall, the ramifications of Cyclone Chido extend far beyond immediate damage; they pose questions about the future resilience of Mayotte and the sustainability of its infrastructure. Relief and support from both local and national authorities are desperately needed as the community faces this unimaginable grief and difficulty.
