Mayotte, a French overseas territory located between Madagascar and Mozambique, has been left reeling after Cyclone Chido made landfall on Saturday, bringing with it catastrophic winds exceeding 220 km/h and widespread destruction across the archipelago.
According to French authorities, the cyclone has already resulted in at least 14 confirmed deaths, with local officials warning the toll could rise to hundreds, possibly approaching one thousand. François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, conveyed grim updates, stating, "Penso che ci siano diverse centinaia di morti, forse ci avvicineremo al migliaio." This figure reflects the reality of the devastation, with entire neighborhoods turned to rubble.
On Sunday, the extent of destruction became clear as cleanup operations began. Video footage released by the French civil protection agency depicted emergency workers and military personnel clearing roads littered with debris and uprooted trees. Many areas experienced complete loss of property, with reports of homes stripped of their roofs and shanty towns devastated.
With strong winds creating treacherous conditions, Mayotte's airport has been closed indefinitely, grounding all flights and complicate relief efforts. The French government has deployed around 1,600 police and gendarmes to maintain order and prevent looting as many residents find themselves without shelter and basic supplies.
Reports indicate significant infrastructural damage occurred; French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated nearly 15,000 houses lost power, and the humanitarian situation is dire, particularly for the approximately 320,000 residents of the island, many of whom live below the national poverty line. "Molti di noi hanno perso tutto", Bieuville lamented. The impact is particularly devastating for the island, recognized as the poorest region of France and the EU.
Beyond Mayotte, the cyclone's harmful effects are echoing across the Indian Ocean region. After ravaging Mayotte, Cyclone Chido's winds were felt as it made its way toward mainland Mozambique. The storm was projected to heavily impact multiple provinces, including Cabo Delgado, where aid organizations like UNICEF are already mobilizing support amid renewed fears of food, water, and health crises for millions affected.
Guy Taylor, spokesperson for UNICEF Mozambique, emphasized the organization's urgent concerns about immediate and long-term impacts saying, "L'Unicef è preoccupato per gli impatti immediati di questo ciclone: la perdita di vite umane, i danni alle scuole, alle case e alle strutture sanitarie." Their fears include potential quarantines due to waterborne diseases, exacerbated by the cyclone.
The tropical storm not only left physical casualties behind but has compounded existing issues facing Mayotte, which had already been struggling with gang violence and social unrest. Tensions had been heightened earlier this year due to serious water shortages, and the aftermath of Chido has intensified the urgency for humanitarian assistance.
Throughout the territory's history, it has managed to navigate adverse conditions. Yet the worst storm devastation seen since 1934, as per Bieuville's alarming statements, poses unprecedented challenges. Images from the disaster show entire sections of the population grappling with unrecognizable landscapes.
Cleanup efforts have ramped up as volunteers and emergency services rapidly try to restore some sense of normalcy. Despite operations being complicated by downed infrastructure, more than 100 rescue personnel have been dispatched to assist with recovery efforts, supplemented by reinforcements from La Réunion and the mainland France.
With the aftermath still uncertain, the future for communities across Mayotte hangs precariously as they work to recover from this natural disaster. The devastation stands as both an immediate crisis and long-term challenge, especially as the cyclone’s threat continues to loom over regional neighbors like Mozambique and beyond.
