CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in the French territory of Mayotte has resulted in a reported death toll that could reach “several hundred” or potentially even extend to thousands, according to the island’s top government representative. Mayotte Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville shared these grim statistics during an announcement on a local channel, illustrating the cyclone’s catastrophic impact on the island’s vulnerable population.
In response to the disaster, France swiftly mobilized rescue operations and dispatched essential supplies to the region, which has suffered extensive damage. “I think there are several hundred dead; it might even approach a thousand. The impact suggests it could be in the thousands,” Bieuville remarked, characterizing Cyclone Chido as the most severe storm to affect Mayotte in the past nine decades.
Obtaining precise figures for casualties and injuries in the aftermath of the cyclone has proven challenging as Mayotte was battered by the violent storm on Saturday, leading to significant destruction of critical infrastructure. Bieuville detailed the widespread damage, including destruction at the airport, alongside flattened residential areas and power outages. The latest updates from the French Interior Ministry confirmed at least 11 fatalities and over 250 injuries, a number that is likely to rise considerably.
Mayotte, located in the southwest Indian Ocean off the African coast, is recognized as France’s poorest overseas territory and is the least affluent territory within the European Union, housing a population of approximately 300,000 across two main islands. Bieuville highlighted that the most severe devastation occurred in the informal settlements characterized by metal shacks. He underscored the implausibility of the current official death count when considering the images emerging from these areas, asserting, “I believe the human toll is far greater.”
Cyclone Chido made its approach on Friday and Saturday, heavily impacting nearby islands including Comoros and Madagascar, but Mayotte faced the most significant brunt of the storm, registering wind speeds exceeding 220 kph (136 mph), categorizing it as a category 4 cyclone. After causing destruction on Mayotte, Chido continued its path towards Mozambique, with fears for more than 2 million individuals in the northern regions of the country facing potential threats associated with the cyclone.
French President Emmanuel Macron extended his thoughts and prayers to the residents of Mayotte, while Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau prepared to visit the affected island on Monday. Following an emergency meeting in Paris, Retailleau predicted a high death toll and acknowledged the severe damage inflicted on the island’s infrastructure. Additionally, Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims during his Sunday visit to Corsica.
To aid recovery, France has initiated plans to establish an air and sea corridor for delivering support to Mayotte. Emergency responders, including firefighters from France and the nearby territory of Reunion, have begun operations, with military aircraft also delivering relief supplies. Given the damage to the airport’s control tower, only military flights are currently operational. Patrice Latron, the prefect of Reunion, stated that around 800 more rescuers would be dispatched over the upcoming days, with over 80 tons of supplies already en route. Restoring basic utilities such as electricity and access to potable water has been highlighted as top priority, according to Latron.
In addition to humanitarian efforts, the French Interior Ministry reported that 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers were deployed to assist locals and prevent looting amid the chaos. Witnessed throughout Mayotte were entire neighborhoods of makeshift homes that had been virtually obliterated. Residents shared unsettling accounts and images of damage, including uprooted trees and sunken boats, with accounts of loss and despair emerging from multiple areas.
Moving ahead, Cyclone Chido has continued to track eastward, striking northern Mozambique with substantial damage, and regions like Malawi and Zimbabwe have warned of possible evacuations due to flooding risks. In Mozambique, UNICEF reported that Cabo Delgado province, home to approximately 2 million residents, was among the first areas to experience the fury of the cyclone, resulting in considerable destruction of infrastructure, including homes, schools, and health facilities.
Concerns are heightened regarding the potential for communities to remain disconnected from essential services for weeks, and the authorities have indicated a significant risk of landslides following the storm. The cyclone season, which lasts from December through March, has seen southern Africa battered by a series of powerful storms in recent years, with Cyclone Idai in 2019 responsible for over 1,300 deaths across Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Cyclone Freddy similarly resulted in substantial fatalities across several countries in the region last year.
The aftermath of such cyclones brings numerous challenges, including risks of flooding and landslides, alongside stagnant water pools that could lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dengue fever. Emerging studies have indicated a correlation between climate change and the increasing severity of these cyclones. The situation underscores the urgent need for support from wealthier nations to help poorer countries in Africa mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change, despite their minimal contributions to global warming.