Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to strike the Indian Ocean’s Mayotte in over 90 years, has left a devastating toll, with hundreds—potentially thousands—feared dead.
François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, told local broadcaster Mayotte La 1ère, “I think there will certainly be several hundreds, maybe even thousands.”
France’s interior ministry cautioned that it would be challenging to determine an exact figure due to widespread destruction and the rapid burial customs observed on the predominantly Muslim islands.
A Night of Chaos
Météo-France reported winds exceeding 200 km/h (124 mph) as Cyclone Chido tore through Mayotte overnight. Makeshift homes, government buildings, and a hospital sustained severe damage. Aerial footage released by the French gendarmerie revealed vast swathes of wrecked housing scattered across the archipelago’s hills, where many undocumented migrants from nearby Comoros reside.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity, saying, “My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte, who have endured unimaginable horror. Many have lost everything, including their lives.”
Humanitarian Crisis
Mayotte, a French overseas territory located 8,000 km (5,000 miles) from Paris, is home to over 100,000 undocumented migrants. Its population faces stark poverty, with 77% living below France’s poverty line.
Authorities warned of severe disruptions to access to food, water, and sanitation following the cyclone. Earlier this year, tensions in Mayotte were exacerbated by a critical water shortage.
Regional Impact and Historical Context
The cyclone moved on to northern Mozambique on Sunday, causing further damage to power and communication infrastructure.
Mayotte, annexed by France in 1843, voted to remain French in a controversial 1974 referendum, while the rest of the Comoros archipelago declared independence. Despite its ties to France, Mayotte has long struggled with underdevelopment, gang violence, and social unrest.
This disaster underscores Mayotte’s vulnerability and raises urgent questions about its preparedness for extreme weather events.
