Islamabad, Dec 17: Hundreds are feared dead after Cyclone Chido devastated the island of Mayotte over the weekend. By Monday, survivors were beginning to assess the widespread destruction caused by the storm, described as the strongest to hit the French territory in nearly a century. Entire neighborhoods were flattened, leaving residents in shock.
France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau arrived in Mayotte on Monday as the French government worked to deliver aid to the impoverished island. Retailleau noted it could take “days and days” to determine the total number of casualties.
Located in the Indian Ocean, roughly 5,000 miles from Paris, Mayotte is struggling to recover as search and rescue operations continue. A French soldier told Reuters that while residents remain in shock, the hospital had regained power and water, with two operating rooms functioning.
The storm severely damaged the airport, allowing only military aircraft to land, which has slowed emergency efforts. In Mamoudzou, Mayotte’s capital, the destruction is overwhelming: schools, hospitals, restaurants, and government offices were destroyed, and hillside villages were reduced to wreckage. Across the archipelago, power outages remain widespread, with authorities warning of a looming drinking water shortage.
The French Red Cross described the devastation as “unimaginable,” with rescuers still searching for bodies. Many residents ignored warnings issued 12 to 24 hours in advance, underestimating the storm’s power. Resident Fahar Abdoulhamidi, 46, explained that people living in informal settlements (bangas) stayed behind for fear of looting.
A greater tragedy unfolded for undocumented migrants, who avoided shelters fearing deportation, leaving many trapped. French authorities reported that over 800 personnel would arrive soon to assist with rescue operations. The current death toll stands at 20, according to local television, but officials, including French Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq, believe the true number is far higher. Mayotte’s Prefect, François-Xavier Bieuville, warned the toll could reach the thousands.
More than 20 tons of supplies, including water and hygiene kits, are being shipped from Reunion to meet urgent needs. However, Mayotte Senator Salama Ramia emphasized worsening hunger and poor conditions in shelters, calling for immediate aid, especially for children and infants.
Despite the devastation, survivors have begun rebuilding. Abdoulhamidi described hearing hammering as residents of informal settlements worked to reconstruct their homes out of sheer necessity.
Mayotte, France’s poorest department and the European Union’s most impoverished territory, remains a target for migrants from countries like Comoros and Somalia, seeking better living conditions and access to the French welfare system. However, the presence of undocumented migrants complicates casualty reporting, as many may never be counted due to Muslim burial traditions (which occur within 24 hours) and lack of documentation.
Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm with winds exceeding 136 mph, struck Mayotte directly after moving through the Indian Ocean on Friday and Saturday. Nearby Comoros and Madagascar were also impacted, but Mayotte bore the brunt of the damage.
The cyclone continued westward, making landfall in Mozambique on Sunday. Early reports from Mozambique indicate at least three deaths, with aid agencies warning that over 2 million people could be affected. Comoros President Azali Assoumani confirmed minor damage to his country.
Further inland, Malawi and Zimbabwe have prepared for possible evacuations due to flooding, though the storm has weakened as it moves over land.
The region’s cyclone season runs from December to March, and southern Africa has been hit by several destructive storms in recent years. In 2019, Cyclone Idai killed over 1,300 people, while Cyclone Freddy claimed more than 1,000 lives last year across multiple countries.
