Hundreds feared dead as Cyclone Chido devastates France’s Mayotte island

At least 250 people have been injured, and many residents, including undocumented migrants, are struggling with shortages of food, water, and shelter.

By: Express Web Desk

December 16, 2024 10:21 AM IST

4 min read

This photo provided Sunday Dec.15, 2024 by the Civil Security shows rescue workers clearing an area in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, after Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage with reports of several fatalities. (AP)

Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to hit Mayotte, has caused massive damage across the French island in the Indian Ocean.

At least several hundred people are feared dead, and the death toll could reach into the thousands, authorities say. The cyclone, which hit on Saturday with winds exceeding 225 km/h (140 mph), left entire neighbourhoods flattened and disrupted vital services, including water and electricity, reported Associated Press (AP).

Also read | 11 dead as Cyclone Chido devastates France’s Mayotte

“We think there are several hundred dead, maybe close to a thousand,” said François-Xavier Bieuville, Mayotte’s prefect, in an interview with local TV station Mayotte la 1ere. He added that reaching an accurate death toll will be difficult, especially since many Muslim families bury their dead within 24 hours, making it hard to track the victims, reported BBC.

This photo provided Sunday Dec.15, 2024 by the French Army shows soldiers addressing the population in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, after Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage with reports of several fatalities. (Photo: AP)

The worst damage has occurred in Mayotte’s poorest areas, particularly the slums where many people live in makeshift metal shacks. Bieuville described the devastation as “apocalyptic.” “The human toll is much higher than the official death toll,” he added.

At least 250 people have been injured, and many residents, including undocumented migrants, are struggling with shortages of food, water, and shelter. The cyclone also caused significant damage to infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, and left many people stranded.

“We’re trying to get the bare minimum to survive, but we don’t know when the water will come back,” said a resident from the capital city, Mamoudzou.

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France has deployed rescue teams and emergency supplies to the island, but efforts are hampered by damaged roads, airports, and power lines. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is set to visit the island on Monday to assess the situation.

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Meanwhile, rescue operations are ongoing, with additional medical staff and supplies arriving from Réunion, another French territory.

The cyclone has also affected nearby islands, including Comoros and Madagascar, and made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday, where authorities warn of more destruction. Cyclone Chido is expected to impact up to 2.5 million people in northern Mozambique, with more than 1.7 million already affected.
https://twitter.com/MalawiRedCross/status/1868278775844352206
UNICEF and other aid agencies are working on the ground, concerned about the potential spread of diseases like cholera and malaria in the aftermath.
https://twitter.com/UNICEF_Moz/status/1868201677171421299
“Many houses were destroyed, and healthcare facilities and schools are out of action,” said Guy Taylor, a UNICEF spokesperson. “We are focused on restoring essential services like clean water and medical care.”

The cyclone season in the region runs from December to March, with strong storms becoming more frequent due to climate change. The international community has pledged support, but the situation remains dire.

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