Mayotte, Indian Ocean – The aftermath of Cyclone Chido has left the French overseas department of Mayotte grappling with an unprecedented humanitarian and infrastructural crisis. Authorities fear “hundreds, if not thousands,” of lives have been lost, according to the prefect of Mayotte. The cyclone, described as one of the most powerful ever to hit the region, has devastated the island’s fragile infrastructure, leaving behind a cataclysmic landscape.
Upon arriving on the island on Monday, Bruno Retailleau, the resigning Minister of the Interior, painted a grim picture of the disaster’s scale. “It will take days and days before we know the exact number of victims,” he said, emphasizing the monumental task ahead. Mayotte, the poorest French department, is no stranger to cyclones, but Cyclone Chido has surpassed the island’s capacity to withstand such natural disasters.
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Widespread Destruction Across Mayotte
The densely populated shantytowns, home to thousands of families, have been “completely destroyed,” authorities report. Even sturdier structures were not spared, with solid buildings sustaining significant damage. Streets are littered with broken bamboo, fallen trees, and electricity poles, rendering most roads impassable. Roofs made of corrugated iron were torn off, and communication networks are severely disrupted, further hampering relief efforts.
The region’s already fragile healthcare system has been critically affected, with hospitals and medical centers rendered inoperative. This has heightened concerns for the injured and vulnerable populations, with emergency medical aid still out of reach in many areas.
Calls for a State of Emergency
Estelle Youssouffa, a Member of Parliament from Mayotte, has urged the French government to declare a state of emergency, stating that it is crucial to “protect people and property” during this dire period. The local government has echoed these calls, highlighting the urgent need for resources to restore essential services and provide shelter for the displaced.
Late Sunday afternoon, the cyclone alert was downgraded from red to orange as Chido moved past Mayotte. However, the storm’s devastating impact on the island contrasts sharply with reports of only minor damage in the neighboring Comoros Islands. Cyclone Chido continued its trajectory, striking northern Mozambique early Sunday morning, where initial reports indicate relatively limited destruction.
A Long Road to Recovery
As relief teams begin to arrive, the challenges are daunting. With roads blocked, communication lines down, and critical infrastructure heavily damaged, the recovery process in Mayotte is expected to take months, if not years. For now, the priority remains rescuing survivors, delivering medical aid, and addressing the immediate needs of the thousands left homeless by the storm.
Mayotte’s tragedy has highlighted the vulnerability of this island community to climate-related disasters, prompting renewed calls for investments in resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness in the region. The full extent of Cyclone Chido’s impact is yet to unfold, but the scars it leaves behind will be felt for generations.
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