Close to 1,000 People Feared Dead after Cyclone in French Territory of Mayotte

By Evans Momodu
4 minute read


Cyclone Chido has left close to 1,000 people feared dead in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, according to local officials.

The cyclone, described as the most powerful storm to hit the region in over 90 years, has also caused significant destruction in Comoros, Madagascar, and Mozambique.

Impact on Mayotte

• Devastation: Winds exceeding 136mph ripped roofs off homes, flattened neighbourhoods, and destroyed infrastructure, including the island's main hospital and airport.
• Confirmed Casualties: At least 11 fatalities have been confirmed, with expectations the toll will rise. Over 246 people have been injured, nine of them critically.
• Challenges: Rescue and relief efforts are underway, but the prefect of Mayotte, François-Xavier Bieuville, acknowledged that assessing the full scale of the disaster remains difficult.

Response

• France has deployed 1,600 police, firefighters, and military personnel to assist with rescue operations and maintain order.
• Supplies are being airlifted to the affected areas, with aid efforts focusing on displaced families and damaged critical facilities.

Cyclone's Path

After devastating Mayotte, Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique, where UNICEF reported severe damage in Cabo Delgado province. Communities face isolation due to destroyed infrastructure, and emergency services are bracing for potential outbreaks of cholera, dengue fever, and malaria. Neighbouring Malawi and Zimbabwe are also preparing for possible flooding and displacement.

This disaster highlights the increasing severity of cyclones linked to climate change. Poorer nations in southern Africa, which contribute minimally to global emissions, face outsized burdens from such catastrophes.

Experts and advocates are calling for greater international support to mitigate the humanitarian crises worsened by climate-related events.

Cyclone Chido follows a series of devastating storms in recent years, such as Cyclone Idai in 2019 and Cyclone Freddy in 2023, which collectively claimed thousands of lives in the region.
Source: Sky news