Sun Dec 15 21:55:00 UTC 2024: **Mayotte Devastated by Cyclone Chido; Death Toll May Reach Thousands**

Cape Town, December 16, 2024 – Cyclone Chido has left a trail of destruction in the French territory of Mayotte, with the death toll expected to reach into the thousands. The island’s prefect, François-Xavier Bieuville, stated that the number of fatalities could be “several hundred, maybe close to a thousand, even thousands,” citing the scale of the devastation.

The cyclone, categorized as a powerful Category 4 storm with winds exceeding 220 kph, struck Mayotte on Saturday, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, including the airport. Entire neighborhoods of informal settlements were flattened, leaving many residents without power or access to clean water. Initial reports from the French Interior Ministry confirmed at least 11 deaths and over 250 injuries, but officials expect this number to rise significantly.

Mayotte, France’s poorest island and the poorest territory in the European Union, is ill-equipped to handle such a disaster. Bieuville highlighted the disproportionate impact on the impoverished slums, stating that the official death toll “is not plausible when you see the images of the slums.”

France has launched a major rescue and relief operation, deploying rescue teams, military aircraft, and ships to deliver supplies and aid to the affected areas. The airport’s damaged control tower is currently limiting air support, but authorities aim to establish an air and sea bridge from the nearby French territory of Reunion.

Cyclone Chido continued its path, impacting nearby islands and making landfall in Mozambique, raising further concerns about the potential impact on millions of people in the region. President Macron expressed his condolences, and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is scheduled to visit Mayotte on Monday. The international community, including the Pope, has offered prayers and support for the victims.

The devastating impact of Cyclone Chido underscores the vulnerability of impoverished nations to increasingly intense cyclones exacerbated by climate change. This tragedy mirrors the devastation caused by previous cyclones in the region, highlighting the urgent need for international assistance and improved disaster preparedness strategies.

Read More