Emergency teams in Mayotte are urgently searching for survivors and working to restore essential services after Cyclone Chido tore through the Indian Ocean islands, leaving devastation in its wake. Officials fear that the death toll may reach into the hundreds, if not thousands, marking the worst storm in the region in nearly a century.
With winds exceeding 200 kph (124 mph), Chido leveled homes, ripped apart communities, and knocked out power, water, and communication networks across Mayotte, France’s poorest overseas territory. Acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, speaking from the disaster zone, cautioned that it could take days to assess the full extent of the destruction.
“Apocalyptic” Scenes
“The images are apocalyptic. It’s a disaster; there’s nothing left,” said Oceane, an ICU nurse at the capital’s main hospital in Mamoudzou. Streets are littered with mud, trees, and rubble, according to local teacher Hamada Ali. Makeshift homes have vanished, and residents are relying on schools for shelter and bottled water for cooking.
In some areas, communications remain cut off, leaving families desperate for news. “I need an update from Chiconi, please,” one social media user pleaded, searching for missing relatives.
France Mobilizes Aid
French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting on Mayotte’s situation, while Acting Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq confirmed reinforcements for the overwhelmed medical services, including 100 additional healthcare workers and a field hospital. Maritime and air operations have been launched to deliver supplies from Reunion Island, another French territory.
Mayotte’s main airport remains closed, hampering rescue efforts.
Mayotte’s Struggles Amplified
Home to 321,000 people, more than 75% of Mayotte’s population lives in poverty. Cyclone Chido has exacerbated long-standing issues in the region, including high rates of undocumented migration and inflation, further straining already fragile infrastructure.
Eric Coquerel, a French lawmaker, criticized the lack of preparedness for extreme weather events, which he linked to climate change. “This disaster shows how vulnerable we are to the consequences of global warming,” he said.
Largest Storm in 90 Years
Météo France confirmed that Cyclone Chido is the strongest storm to strike Mayotte in over 90 years. The storm’s fury was felt far beyond Mayotte, weakening into a tropical storm after making landfall in northern Mozambique, where it destroyed several homes.
As relief efforts continue, the prefect of Mayotte, François-Xavier Bieuville, has warned that the death toll could reach catastrophic levels.
For survivors like John Balloz, the cyclone’s onslaught was a harrowing ordeal. “I was screaming because I thought it was the end,” he recounted.
The road to recovery for Mayotte will be long, with officials and residents bracing for more challenges in the days to come.
