CAPE TOWN, South Africa The French overseas territory of Mayotte, located in the Indian Ocean, has been devastated by Cyclone Chido, the most catastrophic storm to hit the archipelago in nearly a century. Officials fear the death toll may range from several hundred to thousands.
Scale of Destruction
Mayotte’s prefect, François-Xavier Bieuville, described the cyclone as a once-in-90-years event. Speaking to local media, he expressed grave concerns, stating, “There are certainly several hundred dead, possibly reaching a thousand or more, given the scale of the destruction.”
As of now, France’s Interior Ministry has confirmed at least 11 fatalities and over 250 injuries, though these numbers are expected to rise significantly. The hardest-hit areas include slums with fragile structures, where homes made of metal sheets and informal materials were flattened. Bieuville added, “The current figures do not reflect the true human toll.”
Cyclone Details
Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm with winds exceeding 136 mph, struck Mayotte on Saturday. It is the strongest storm to hit the region since 1934, according to Meteo-France. Authorities issued a cyclonic red alert, and at the storm’s peak, a rare purple alert forced the entire population into lockdown.
The cyclone’s path also impacted nearby islands such as Comoros and Madagascar before making landfall in Mozambique. In Mozambique, concerns are mounting for over 2 million people potentially affected.
Humanitarian Crisis in Mayotte
Mayotte, France’s poorest overseas department and the most impoverished region in the European Union, faces a dire humanitarian crisis. Its population of just over 300,000, spread across two main islands, is struggling to recover as public infrastructure, including the airport and electricity systems, lies in ruins.
France has mobilized significant resources, sending emergency teams and supplies from Reunion and mainland France. Military aircraft are currently the only means of transport due to damage to Mayotte’s airport control tower. Over 80 tons of supplies have been delivered, and an air and sea bridge is being established to accelerate relief efforts.
International Response
French President Emmanuel Macron extended his condolences to the victims, while Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is scheduled to visit Mayotte to oversee recovery efforts. Pope Francis also offered prayers for the victims during a visit to Corsica.
Regional Implications
Cyclone Chido’s impact on Mozambique is expected to exacerbate flooding concerns in neighboring Malawi and Zimbabwe. Cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean, running from December to March, has seen a surge in severe storms in recent years. Cyclone Idai in 2019 and Cyclone Freddy in 2023 each claimed over 1,000 lives in the region, underlining the increasing frequency of such disasters.
The aftermath of Cyclone Chido highlights the urgent need for disaster preparedness and climate resilience in vulnerable regions like Mayotte and southern Africa.
Increasing Cyclone Activity in the Region
Cyclone Chido is part of a growing trend of powerful cyclones in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Recent years have seen significant loss of life, including Cyclone Idai in 2019 and Cyclone Freddy in 2023, which claimed over 1,000 lives.
The French General Directorate of Civil Security and Crisis Management announced on X that 110 firefighters and rescuers have been deployed to assist with rescue and clearing operations, as well as to provide logistical and medical support.
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