Catastrophic Cyclone Chido Leaves Hundreds Dead in Mayotte; Relief Efforts Underway

Mayotte, Indian Ocean – December 15, 2024

Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century, has left a trail of destruction and heartbreak. The French territory is reeling from what local officials are calling an unprecedented catastrophe, with hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead.

Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville, the senior local French official in Mayotte, painted a grim picture during a press conference, stating, “I think there are several hundred dead; maybe we’ll reach a thousand, even thousands, given the violence of this event.” The prefect’s comments came as emergency teams continued their search and rescue operations across the devastated archipelago.

Cyclone Chido’s Fury

Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte over the weekend, packing winds of up to 140 mph (approximately 225 kph), equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Meteo-France reported that the storm caused widespread destruction, damaging homes, hospitals, and government buildings. The storm’s intensity has made it the worst cyclone to hit Mayotte since 1934.

The island’s state services had issued a cyclonic red alert before the storm’s arrival, signalling imminent danger. As conditions worsened, a rare purple alert was activated, enforcing a complete lockdown across the territory. Even emergency services were ordered to stand down during the height of the storm for safety reasons.

Unimaginable Devastation

Photos and videos from Mayotte reveal a landscape unrecognizable to many of its residents. Entire neighbourhoods have been flattened, with makeshift homes reduced to rubble. Metal sheets from roofs and other debris are scattered across the island, while coconut trees and power lines lie toppled in the streets.

“Honestly, what we are experiencing is a tragedy. It feels like the aftermath of a nuclear war,” said Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of the capital, Mamoudzou. “I saw an entire neighbourhood disappear overnight.”

The destruction has also extended to critical infrastructure. Meteo-France reported severe damage to one of the island’s leading hospitals, compounding the challenges faced by rescue teams. Local media captured heart-wrenching scenes of families stranded in flooded streets and a mother pushing her newborn’s crib through a waterlogged hospital corridor.

Casualty Figures Remain Uncertain

The death toll remains unclear, with conflicting reports emerging. The French Interior Ministry has so far confirmed 11 fatalities but acknowledged that the actual number of victims is likely much higher. The ministry emphasized the difficulties in accounting for all casualties, especially given Mayotte’s enormous population of undocumented migrants who live in precarious conditions.

“For the toll, it’s going to be complicated because Mayotte is a Muslim land where the dead are buried within 24 hours,” a French official said. This cultural practice has added to the challenges of obtaining an accurate death count.

Humanitarian Crisis

In addition to the loss of life, Cyclone Chido has triggered a humanitarian crisis. Access to food, clean water, and medical care has become increasingly difficult for many residents. The French General Directorate of Civil Security and Crisis Management has mobilized 110 firefighters and rescue workers to assist with clearing operations and provide logistical and medical support. Additional reinforcements, including up to 800 Civil Security personnel, will arrive soon.

An air bridge has been established between Mayotte and Reunion Island, another French overseas territory, to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies and evacuate critically injured individuals.

A Community in Mourning

Mayotte, home to nearly 300,000 people, is one of the poorest territories in France. Over three-quarters of its population lives below the poverty line, and the region has long struggled with inadequate infrastructure, gang violence, and social unrest. The cyclone’s devastation has only deepened the challenges faced by this vulnerable community.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences to the people of Mayotte, describing the storm as a “horrific ordeal.” In a televised statement, Macron pledged full support from the French government, saying, “My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte, who have gone through the most horrific few hours and have, for some, lost everything, even their lives.”

Illegal Immigration Complicates Recovery Efforts

Mayotte has long been a destination for migrants from neighbouring Comoros. Attracted by the territory’s higher standard of living and access to French welfare. The influx of undocumented migrants has led to the proliferation of makeshift housing, much of which was no match for Cyclone Chido’s ferocity.

Aerial footage from the French gendarmerie shows clusters of these informal settlements that were wholly destroyed. The tragedy has highlighted the precarious living conditions faced by many migrants and the broader socio-economic challenges of the region.

Cyclone’s Impact Beyond Mayotte

Cyclone Chido continued at Mayotte. The storm continued across the Indian Ocean, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to northern Mozambique. While the full extent of the damage in Mozambique remains unclear. Internet monitor NetBlocks reported significant disruptions to power and telecommunications infrastructure.

In neighbouring Comoros, the cyclone caused relatively minor damage, with 21 homes destroyed and 24 people displaced. Two individuals sustained injuries during the storm.

Rebuilding and Moving Forward

As Mayotte begins to pick up the pieces, the road to recovery will undoubtedly be long and challenging. With thousands of residents displaced and critical infrastructure in ruins. The focus has shifted to providing immediate relief and planning for the territory’s rebuilding.

The French government has pledged significant resources to aid recovery. But the magnitude of the disaster underscores the need for long-term solutions to Mayotte’s structural vulnerabilities.

For now, the people of Mayotte remain resilient, leaning on their community and faith as they navigate this devastating chapter. “We’ve lost so much,” said Mamoudzou resident Ishmael. “But we’ll rebuild together.”