Cyclone Chido has left a trail of devastation across the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, with officials fearing the death toll could reach into the hundreds or even thousands. The intense tropical cyclone struck the impoverished island on Saturday, destroying homes, uprooting trees, and crippling essential infrastructure. François-Xavier Bieuville, Mayotte's prefect, described the situation as catastrophic and warned that the human toll could be staggering.
Speaking to Mayotte la 1ere, Bieuville confirmed 11 fatalities but cautioned that this figure was likely a severe undercount. He said it was difficult to determine an accurate number of deaths in a predominantly Muslim community, where traditional burial practices often take place within 24 hours. "I think there are some several hundred dead, maybe we'll get close to a thousand. Even thousands ... given the violence of this even," he said. Images from the affected areas revealed flattened neighborhoods, overturned boats, and uprooted trees, leaving much of the island unrecognizable.
Mayotte's population of approximately 320,000 had been ordered into lockdown ahead of the cyclone, which brought winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour (136 mph). Aerial footage showed the wreckage of homes and debris scattered across the island. In some areas, entire neighborhoods of makeshift metal shacks were obliterated, leaving residents without shelter. Many areas are now without electricity or clean water, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
The cyclone's destruction also extended to the island's critical infrastructure. Hospitals, schools, and public buildings sustained significant damage, and the airport's control tower was rendered inoperable, limiting incoming aid to military aircraft. A first aid plane arrived on Sunday with three tonnes of medical supplies and 17 medical staff, while additional military aircraft are expected to follow. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced plans to visit Mayotte on Monday to coordinate relief efforts and assess the scale of the destruction.
Mayotte is the poorest territory in France and the European Union, a fact underscored by the cyclone's devastating impact on its infrastructure and vulnerable population. Emergency response teams from France and nearby Réunion have been deployed, with efforts underway to establish an air and sea bridge to deliver aid. French authorities have dispatched over 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers to assist in recovery efforts and maintain order amid concerns of potential looting.
The cyclone did not spare neighboring regions, with reports of severe damage in Comoros and Madagascar. Authorities in Comoros are searching for 11 missing fishers, while in Madagascar, the cyclone disrupted entire communities. Chido later made landfall in Mozambique, threatening the lives of 2.5 million people in the country's northern provinces. UNICEF reported extensive damage in Cabo Delgado, where homes, schools, and health facilities were either partially or entirely destroyed.
Cyclone Chido is the latest in a series of powerful storms to batter the southwestern Indian Ocean, a region increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Scientists have warned that rising global temperatures are intensifying the frequency and severity of such storms, leaving impoverished regions like Mayotte and Mozambique struggling to recover. Cyclone Idai in 2019 claimed over 1,300 lives across Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, while Cyclone Freddy left more than 1,000 dead in 2022.
French President Emmanuel Macron extended his condolences to the people of Mayotte and pledged long-term support for rebuilding efforts. Pope Francis also offered prayers for the victims during a public appearance in Corsica. Despite the international attention, the road to recovery for Mayotte and its residents will likely be long and challenging. Relief efforts are currently focused on restoring power, providing clean drinking water, and delivering medical care to the injured.
Residents like Chad Youyou from the northern village of Hamjago expressed despair over the destruction. "Mayotte is destroyed... we are destroyed," he said in a video post showing the extensive damage to his village and surrounding areas.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
