Following the severe cyclone that struck Mayotte, a tiny French island territory off Africa, France swiftly deployed ships and military aircraft on Monday to deliver rescuers and supplies. This cyclone, named Chido, is the worst to hit the island in almost a century, causing significant destruction and loss of life. Authorities are concerned that hundreds, or possibly thousands, may have perished.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, survivors were seen navigating through streets strewn with debris, desperately seeking water and shelter. Entire neighborhoods in Mayotte were flattened by the cyclone, leaving behind a scene of chaos. The capital city of Mamoudzou bore the brunt of the devastation, with schools, hospitals, restaurants, and offices reduced to ruins.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described the situation as “total devastation” across Mayotte. Villages on hillsides were ravaged by winds exceeding 220 kph, leaving behind toppled trees and heaps of corrugated metal. The island was left without electricity, except for the capital, while telecommunication services suffered severe disruptions.
The French Red Cross labeled the destruction as “unimaginable,” with rescuers facing challenges in reaching inaccessible areas due to the damage caused by the cyclone. Despite warnings issued prior to the storm, many residents underestimated its intensity, leading to tragic consequences. Additionally, migrants hesitated to seek shelter due to fears of deportation, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Mayotte, home to over 320,000 people and a significant migrant population, is grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido. The official death toll stands at 20, though Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq cautioned that this number is likely an underestimate given the scale of the disaster. Urgent aid is required to address the pressing needs for water, electricity, and food, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and infants.
Chido, classified as a category 4 cyclone, is the most powerful to hit Mayotte since the 1930s. French authorities are working to provide support and assistance, with daily airlifts delivering essential supplies to the island. The airport in Mayotte remains closed to civilian flights, further hampering relief efforts. The government is mobilizing resources to address the crisis and help the island recover from the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido.
In the days ahead, Mayotte’s primary hospital sustained significant water damage to critical departments such as surgery, intensive care, emergency, and maternity, as reported by Darrieussecq, the health minister. Retailleau disclosed that a field hospital is scheduled to be delivered on Thursday. Additionally, the French Interior Ministry revealed that a total of 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers were swiftly deployed post-cyclone to assist the local population and deter potential looting activities.
The residents of Mayotte have long expressed grievances over the lack of investment and neglect from the French government towards their archipelago. Approximately three-quarters of the population live in poverty, with a median annual disposable income that is only about one-eighth of that in the Paris metropolitan area, based on data from the French statistics agency INSEE. Furthermore, the region has grappled with political instability and a growing backing for the far-right National Rally party, indicative of widespread discontent with the prevailing political landscape. Notably, in the previous year, the French military intervened to quell demonstrations following a period of drought and mismanagement that resulted in water shortages.
After battering Mayotte, Cyclone Chido proceeded westward and made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday, claiming the lives of three individuals, injuring 34 others, and causing extensive damage to classrooms in four schools. Across the border in Malawi, two casualties were reported due to the cyclone’s impact. The period spanning from December to March marks the cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean, during which southern Africa has experienced a series of devastating cyclones. Notably, in 2019, Cyclone Idai claimed over 1,300 lives, primarily in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, while Cyclone Freddy, the following year, resulted in over 1,000 fatalities across various nations in the Indian Ocean and southern Africa.
In a show of solidarity, the European Parliament paid tribute to the victims of Cyclone Chido by observing a minute of silence, with the chamber’s President, Roberta Metsola, affirming that “Mayotte is Europe, and Europe will not abandon you.”
Adamson contributed to this report from Paris, while Imray provided insights from Cape Town, South Africa. The collaboration of Tom Nouvian in Paris and Monika Pronczuk in Dakar, Senegal, greatly enriched the comprehensive coverage of this unfolding situation.
