Cyclone Chido Causes Extensive Damage and High Death Toll Concerns in Mayotte

A local official has cautioned that the fatality count from a cyclone that struck Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, on Saturday, is anticipated to reach several hundred. Cyclone Chido’s landfall brought wind gusts exceeding 225km/h (140mph), leading to the destruction of entire communities. While the most recent reported death toll was 11, the island’s prefect, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, informed local media that the figure would “definitely be several hundred” after a complete damage assessment, further noting the possibility of “a few thousand people had died.” Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that France would “be there” for Mayotte’s residents and dispatched 250 rescue personnel. Bruno Retailleau, France’s interior minister, stated that “all makeshift homes have been completely destroyed” and expressed concern about a “heavy” death toll. A local news outlet reported on Saturday that 11 individuals perished and 246 sustained injuries, according to a hospital report. AFP, however, cited a security source for a higher death toll, indicating at least 14 fatalities. Mayotte, an archipelago situated north-west of Madagascar, consists of a primary island, Grand-Terre, and numerous smaller islands. A significant portion of its approximately 300,000 residents reside in shacks topped with sheet metal roofs, and tens of thousands have been displaced from their dwellings. Essential services, including electricity, water, and internet, are currently non-operational. The Parisian government has deployed a military transport aircraft carrying provisions and emergency personnel. Acting French Transport Minister Francois Durovray posted on X that Pamandzi airport, within the territory, “suffered major damage, especially to the control tower.” He further noted that air traffic “will be restored initially with military aid planes. Ships are on the way to ensure resupply.” Prior to the cyclone’s full impact on Saturday morning, reports emerged of uprooted trees, detached roofs, and downed power lines. Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, head of Mayotte’s firefighters’ union, informed the BFM news channel on Saturday morning that “even emergency responders are locked down.” He elaborated: “There’s no mobile phone service and we can’t reach people on the island. Even buildings built to earthquake standards haven’t held up. “The emergency services command centre has been evacuated and is functioning at partial capacity.” Interior Minister Retailleau issued a statement on X, declaring: “I offer my full support to the people of Mayotte. The state and local emergency services are fully mobilized. 110 civil security personnel and firefighters have already been sent and are on site. A second dispatch will be made tomorrow with 140 additional personnel.” French Prime Minister François Bayrou, who assumed his role on Friday, characterized the cyclone as having “exceptional severity” and stated he was receiving updates on the situation “hour by hour.” He convened an emergency meeting with ministers in Paris. Mayotte was initially placed under a purple alert, representing the highest level, which entailed a “strict lockdown for the whole population, including emergency services.” This alert status has since been downgraded to red, enabling emergency services to depart their facilities. Retailleau noted that the island had not encountered such extreme weather conditions since 1934. Following its impact on Mayotte, the storm gained strength overnight while traversing the Mozambique Channel. The coastal city of Pemba has endured heavy rainfall and winds reaching gusts of 185km/h (115mph). Social media videos depicted flooded areas within Pemba, uprooted trees, and damage to some residences. The cyclone is currently progressing inland, with substantial rainfall reported in the adjacent Nampula province. Although winds are anticipated to diminish, significant rain and flooding are also forecasted for southern Malawi and subsequently Zimbabwe.