Mayotte has been struck by Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to hit the island territory in over 90 years, leaving widespread devastation and raising alarms about the potential death toll, which officials suggest could reach hundreds or even thousands.
François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, characterized the impact of the cyclone as catastrophic, stating, "I think there will certainly be several hundred [dead], maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands," when speaking to the local channel Mayotte La 1ère. The French Interior Ministry voiced concerns over the difficulties in accurately accounting for the victims due to the logistical challenges posed by the cyclone's destruction and the cultural practices surrounding death among the predominantly Muslim population, who traditionally bury their dead within 24 hours.
Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (about 124 mph), causing significant damage to homes and key infrastructure. Makeshift housing, government buildings, schools, and hospitals were severely impacted, leaving many residents without shelter or access to life-saving services. Aerial footage captured by the French gendarmerie revealed entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, particularly affecting the impoverished communities reliant on fragile housing conditions.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his thoughts for the inhabitants of Mayotte, stating, "My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte, who have gone through the most horrific few hours and who have, for some, lost everything, lost their lives." The plight of Mayotte has drawn international attention with promises of support from across Europe. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, reaffirmed, "Our hearts go out to France following the devastating passage of cyclone Chido through Mayotte. We are ready to provide support in the days to come." WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also offered assistance, pledging support for communities requiring health care services.
The cyclone has exacerbated existing crises within the territory, where approximately 77 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, and many residents were already confronted with chronic water shortages prior to the storm. Adding to the challenges, Mayotte is home to over 100,000 undocumented migrants, with reports indicating many did not seek help out of fear of deportation, complicity efforts to assess the full scope of casualties. Local officials noted how the cyclone left many dependent on makeshift shelters and with limited means to navigate the aftermath of Chido.
According to Mamoudzou’s mayor, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, "The hospital is hit, the schools are hit. Houses are totally devastated." He highlighted the insecurity of trying to manage the counts of the injured and deceased, noting the culture of quick burials and the valid concerns of undocumented individuals.
Eyewitness accounts paint dire scenes, with residents comparing the devastation to apocalyptic conditions; one local resident, Mohamed Ishmael, lamented, "You feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war… I saw an entire neighborhood disappear." Survivors struggled without basic necessities, creating urgent demands for food and clean water, with some residents reportedly going days without access.
Rescue operations are underway, albeit faced with significant hurdles. Damage to the airport and other infrastructure has hindered the swift deployment of aid. The prefecture of La Réunion announced the establishment of air and sea bridges aimed at delivering supplies and personnel, including over 160 rescue workers and firefighters, to support the inadequate local emergency services. These reinforcements aim to boost the humanitarian effort during this challenging recovery period.
The cyclone's impact extends beyond Mayotte, as Chido continued its path toward northern Mozambique, where it made landfall causing flash floods and property destruction, prompting concerns of major disruptions for more than 2 million people across multiple regions. UNICEF expressed alarm over the potential long-term impacts on access to education and healthcare for children affected by the cyclone, reflecting broader impacts resulting from climate change-induced weather events.
This disaster draws attention not only to the immediate needs of the beleaguered territory of Mayotte but also highlights the socio-political dynamics tied to its past as France's poorest overseas department and the tensions arising from its status amid the independent yet struggling Comoros islands, enhancing the challenges faced by the territory's residents during natural disasters.
With the world now watching, the French government is called to action not just for immediate relief but also for sustainable support to raise Mayotte from the depths of calamity it now faces.
