Hundreds feared dead as Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, is reeling from the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido, which has left and entire communities flattened.
The powerful cyclone, with wind speeds exceeding 225 km/h (140 mph), has devastated the island, particularly affecting its poorest residents who lived in makeshift shelters.
The cyclone caused widespread damage to infrastructure, with downed power lines and blocked roads severely hampering rescue and relief efforts.
Residents of the capital, Mamoudzou, are grappling with shortages of food, water, and shelter.
“We’ve had no water for three days now,” one resident lamented, waiting in line for supplies.
Another survivor, John Balloz, recounted the terror of the storm: “I screamed for help because I thought it was the end for me.”
Mohamed Ishmael, another resident, described the scene as apocalyptic: “You feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war. Entire neighborhoods have disappeared.”
Communities have turned to schools and other structures for refuge, with residents emphasizing the need for unity. “We need everyone to hold hands,” one said.
Mayotte, home to 320,000 people, has long struggled with poverty, unemployment, and political instability.
Nearly 75% of the population lives below the poverty line, and one in three is unemployed. The cyclone’s devastation has disproportionately impacted undocumented migrants and impoverished residents due to their precarious housing.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Mayotte, stating that his thoughts are with “our compatriots who have lost everything, including their lives.”
François-Xavier Bieuville, the island’s prefect, warned that the death toll could rise significantly once the full extent of the damage is assessed.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who plans to visit Mayotte, acknowledged the “exceptional severity” of the cyclone and assured that relief efforts are being intensified.
However, reaching isolated communities remains a significant challenge.
After battering Mayotte, Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique, causing flash floods, uprooting trees, and damaging buildings in Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces.
Aid agencies, including UNICEF, have raised concerns about access to clean water, healthcare, and the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera and malaria.
A UNICEF spokesperson in Mozambique, Guy Taylor, reported widespread destruction: “Many houses, schools, and healthcare facilities have been destroyed or rendered unusable.”
Relief efforts in Mozambique are also underway to address the growing humanitarian needs.
