Cyclone Chido, a powerful storm that recently struck Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, has caused catastrophic damage, with the death toll feared to be in the hundreds, possibly even thousands. The cyclone made landfall on December 14, 2024, packing sustained winds of at least 226 km/h (140 mph), destroying homes, infrastructure, and communities in its path. With rescue efforts ongoing, the extent of the destruction is still being assessed.
The cyclone primarily affected Mayotte’s densely populated informal settlements, where many residents live in precarious conditions in shantytowns built from sheet metal and other makeshift materials. These areas bore the brunt of the storm, with metal roofs torn off, trees uprooted, and power lines downed. According to FOX Weather, the prefect of Mayotte, François Xavier-Bieuville, indicated that the full scope of the disaster may not be known for several days, as recovery efforts are hindered by damaged roads, airports, and hospitals. “It will be extremely difficult to reach a final count,” Bieuville said, acknowledging the complexities of tracking casualties due to the local customs of burying the dead swiftly.
As of the latest reports, at least 246 people have been injured, with several in critical condition, while Reuters has confirmed 11 deaths. Over 15,000 homes are without power, and telephone communication has been severely disrupted. Emergency medical teams and supplies are being urgently sent by air and sea, but the logistical challenges posed by damaged infrastructure complicate these efforts. The local hospital has sustained significant damage, and medical personnel are working under extremely difficult conditions.
Cyclone Chido’s impact was not limited to Mayotte. Neighboring Comoros and Madagascar also felt the effects, although they experienced lesser damage. The cyclone’s current trajectory has brought it to Mozambique, where further disruptions are expected in the coming days.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency, and France has deployed hundreds of soldiers and firefighters to aid in the recovery and relief efforts. However, the long-term recovery process is expected to be slow, given the scale of the damage and the challenges of providing immediate relief in such a remote and underdeveloped region.
Mayotte, with a population of just over 300,000 residents spread across two main islands, lies about 800 kilometers (500 miles) off Africa’s eastern coast. As France’s poorest island and the European Union’s least affluent territory, it was severely impacted by Cyclone Chido, which destroyed entire neighborhoods. Locals reported widespread devastation, with trees uprooted and boats overturned or sunk. The catastrophe has drawn international attention, with many expressing solidarity with the island’s residents.
According to PBS, the French government has pledged additional resources to help with the recovery, although officials caution that the situation remains dire as the full impact of Cyclone Chido continues to unfold.
