CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The devastating effects of Cyclone Chido have plunged the French territory of Mayotte into mourning, as officials report a possible death toll that may reach into the “hundreds or even thousands,” according to the island’s top government representative during a local news broadcast on Sunday.
In light of the destruction, France has quickly mobilized rescue teams and critical supplies to its struggling overseas department in the Indian Ocean, where widespread devastation has occurred.
François-Xavier Bieuville, the Prefect of Mayotte, conveyed his dire evaluation to Mayotte la 1ere, suggesting that the current reported fatalities are expected to rise significantly, potentially approaching or even surpassing the thousand mark due to the cyclone’s intense impact. He stated, “I believe there are several hundred deceased, and we may very well reach into the thousands… given the severity of this incident.”
Bieuville characterized this cyclone as the most powerful to hit Mayotte in nearly ninety years.
He pointed out the difficulties in accurately determining the number of casualties and injuries following the island’s encounter with the violent storm on Saturday, which caused significant infrastructure damage, including to the airport, while entire neighborhoods were wiped out and power outages became widespread.
Earlier on Sunday, the French Interior Ministry confirmed at least 11 deaths and over 250 injuries, warning that these numbers are likely to surge.
Mayotte, situated off the southwestern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, is recognized as France’s poorest island and the least affluent territory in the European Union, with a population of around 300,000 spread across two principal islands.
Bieuville noted that the most severe damage occurred in slum areas, where makeshift metal shacks and informal dwellings are common throughout Mayotte. He expressed doubt about the official death toll, asserting, “This figure seems implausible when you see the images from the slums.”
“I believe the human toll is significantly higher,” he added.
The Impact of Cyclone Chido on Mayotte
Cyclone Chido swept through the southwestern Indian Ocean on Friday and Saturday, also affecting the nearby islands of Comoros and Madagascar. However, Mayotte bore the brunt of the cyclone, with winds reaching over 220 kph (136 mph), as indicated by the French meteorological service, which categorized it as a level 4 cyclone, making it one of the most powerful on the scale.
After striking Mayotte, Chido moved on to Mozambique, raising alarm for over 2 million residents in the northern regions, according to local authorities.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Mayotte, while Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is scheduled to visit the island on Monday. Following an emergency meeting in Paris, Retailleau acknowledged the high likelihood of a substantial death toll, and newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou, who took office on Friday, noted the extensive infrastructural damage across Mayotte.
During a visit to Corsica on Sunday, Pope Francis also extended his prayers for the victims of the cyclone.
France’s Response: Establishing an Air and Sea Bridge
Rescue and firefighting teams have been dispatched from both France and the nearby French territory of Reunion, with supplies being sent via military aircraft and ships. The damage to the airport’s control tower has limited flights to military operations only.
Patrice Latron, the prefect of Reunion, announced plans to establish an air and sea connection between Reunion and Mayotte. An additional 800 rescue personnel are expected to arrive in the coming days, with over 80 tons of supplies already delivered or on their way via ship. Latron emphasized the urgent need to restore power and provide clean drinking water.
The French Interior Ministry reported that 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers have been deployed to support the local population and prevent looting.
In various areas of Mayotte, entire blocks of metal structures and huts have been flattened, with residents reporting uprooted trees, overturned boats, and widespread power outages.
Chad Youyou, a resident of Hamjago in northern Mayotte, shared videos on social media illustrating the extensive destruction in his village, where almost every tree had been uprooted.
“Mayotte is devastated… we are completely wiped out,” he lamented.
Cyclone’s Aftermath in Northern Mozambique
Chido continued its trajectory towards northern Mozambique, causing further destruction, while landlocked nations like Malawi and Zimbabwe have warned of potential evacuations due to flooding risks.
UNICEF reported that the Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique, home to approximately 2 million residents, was hit first, with many homes, schools, and health facilities suffering partial or total destruction.
UNICEF Mozambique spokesperson Guy Taylor highlighted the risk that communities could be cut off from educational and health services for weeks, as authorities warned of an increased chance of landslides.
The cyclone season runs from December to March in the southwestern Indian Ocean, and southern Africa has faced a succession of powerful storms in recent years. Cyclone Idai in 2019 resulted in over 1,300 fatalities, primarily in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, while Cyclone Freddy claimed more than 1,000 lives across several countries last year.
These cyclones bring the risk of flooding and landslides, and stagnant water left behind can lead to deadly outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, as well as dengue fever and malaria.
Research indicates that the intensity of cyclones is on the rise due to climate change, putting a significant strain on impoverished countries in Africa that contribute very little to global warming, underscoring the urgent need for support from wealthier nations to help manage the impacts of climate change.
—Corbet reported from Paris.
