Cyclone Devastates Mayotte Archipelago, Killing at Least 11 in the Worst Storm in 90 Years
The Indian Ocean region of Mayotte in France was devastated by a powerful storm on Saturday. The cyclone caused severe damage to temporary settlements, government buildings, and a hospital in Mayotte. The French weather department, Météo France, reported that the cyclone struck with winds reaching 200 km/h (124 mph).
France's new Prime Minister François Bayrou described the storm as "unexpectedly violent." He said, "This is an exceptional cyclone that has stunned everyone."
Damage Overview
The administrator of Mayotte reported that this was the deadliest storm since 1934. The exact number of casualties is difficult to determine, as it is customary in the region to bury the dead within 24 hours.
The cyclone also impacted the nearby Comoros Islands, where flooding and widespread destruction of homes have been reported.
Impact on Mainland Africa
The cyclone was forecast to strike northern Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces in Mozambique on Sunday. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Zimbabwe and Zambia, and there are concerns of sudden flooding in neighboring Malawi until Monday.
Climate Change Impact
Experts view Cyclone Chido as the latest example of the destructive impact of global climate change. The unusually warm waters of the Indian Ocean intensified the storm.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that around 1.7 million people are at risk. The destruction caused by Chido is expected to be similar to the devastation caused by Cyclone Gombe in 2022 and Cyclone Freddy in 2023.
French Government's Response to the Crisis in Mayotte
France's temporary Interior Minister Bruno Retailleux called the disaster "dramatic" and announced he would visit Mayotte on Monday.
Concerns from the Diaspora Minister
Thani Mohamed-Souilih, a French junior minister born in Mayotte, reported that he had been unable to contact his family due to the storm's impact.
French Transport Minister François Duruflé confirmed that the Petit-Terre Pamandji Airport had also been severely damaged.
Experts have called for urgent international action to support the affected communities in Mayotte following the destruction caused by Cyclone Chido.
