Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte: Heavy Damage and Casualties Expected

Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century, has resulted in at least two fatalities and widespread devastation. French authorities scramble to send aid as the situation worsens.

Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, has been profoundly impacted by Cyclone Chido, which made landfall this past Saturday, wreaking havoc across the region. Wind gusts reached an alarming speed of over 225 km/h (140 mph), leading to significant destruction and triggering fears of a heavy death toll. Officials reported two confirmed deaths already, but the toll is expected to rise as search efforts progress.

Bruno Retailleau, the French Interior Minister, expressed concerns over the cyclone's severe impact, emphasizing that the local shanty town has been "completely destroyed." In response, French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed France's commitment to assist the affected residents, while 250 firefighters and security personnel are being deployed to the island to help with recovery efforts.

Mayotte, situated north-west of Madagascar, comprises a main island, Grand-Terre, along with several smaller ones. The cyclone's onset was marked by scenes of widespread chaos, with reports indicating uprooted trees, roofs torn from structures, and extensive damage to power lines. Emergency services have faced limitations, as Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, head of Mayotte's firefighters' union, reported that responders are currently unable to communicate effectively due to infrastructure collapse.

The Pamandzi airport on the island has suffered substantial damage, particularly to its control tower, complicating logistics. Transport Minister Francois Durovray mentioned that initial air traffic restoration will involve military aid flights while ships are being mobilized to support resupply efforts.

Retailleau underscored the urgency of the situation through a public statement, detailing how 110 civil security personnel and firefighters had already been deployed. An additional 140 responders are slated to arrive, enhancing the local emergency response.

Prime Minister François Bayrou, who recently assumed office, characterized the cyclone as being of "exceptional severity," assuring that the situation is being closely monitored. Initially placed under a purple alert—designating the highest level of preparedness—the island is now under a red alert which permits emergency personnel to resume operations after the strict lockdown was lifted.

As reports emerge of the storm's anticipated trajectory towards Mozambique, the impact of Cyclone Chido continues to be felt across the region, with hopes for recovery resting on coordinated emergency efforts.