In the wake of the devastating Cyclone Chido, the French territory of Mayotte is grappling with a humanitarian crisis as hundreds remain missing and the death toll continues to rise across southeast Africa. The powerful storm left a trail of destruction, flattening homes, severing communication lines, and prompting fears of widespread looting in its aftermath.
Mayotte Plunged into Chaos
Mayotte, an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique, bore the brunt of Cyclone Chido’s fury. With wind speeds reaching a staggering 140 mph, the storm left a path of destruction across the islands, particularly on the main island of Grande-Terre.
According to local authorities, at least 21 people have been confirmed dead in Mayotte, but officials fear the actual toll could be in the thousands. The Red Cross reported that an alarming 200 of its volunteers are currently unaccounted for, underscoring the scale of the catastrophe.
Large swathes of Grande-Terre remain cut off from vital infrastructure, with roads, internet, phone networks, electricity, and water supply severely compromised. The situation is particularly dire in the densely populated informal settlements, home to an estimated one-third of Mayotte’s population, many of whom are undocumented migrants from nearby Comoros.
“The real toll of those swept away by the mud, winds and tin from shanty towns will never be known,” lamented Estelle Youssouffa, a deputy for Mayotte in France’s parliament. “This population, by definition undocumented migrants, are the main victims of this tragedy because they feared going to shelters.”
– Estelle Youssouffa, Deputy for Mayotte
Curfew Imposed Amid Looting Fears
In an attempt to maintain order and prevent looting, authorities in Mayotte have imposed a strict curfew from 10 pm to 4 am. The move comes as reports emerge of food and fuel shortages, with shops operating at reduced capacity and gas stations reserving supplies for emergency services.
France has pledged support, with President Emmanuel Macron promising to visit the beleaguered territory in the coming days. An additional 400 gendarmes are set to arrive to bolster the 1,600-strong security presence already on the islands.
Southeast Africa Reels from Chido’s Impact
As Cyclone Chido swept through southeast Africa, it left a wake of destruction and mounting casualties. In northern Mozambique, at least 34 people lost their lives, and over 23,600 homes were destroyed. Malawi also felt the storm’s wrath, with seven reported deaths and nearly 35,000 people affected.
The cyclone struck a region already grappling with the effects of a devastating drought earlier this year, which left an estimated 27 million people struggling to feed themselves. Experts attribute the exceptional intensity of Cyclone Chido to climate change, with the warm waters of the Indian Ocean fueling its strength.
“What worries me is that we are only at the beginning of the cyclone season,” shared Darkouai Hakim, an employment agency worker who was in France when the storm hit. “I am afraid there will be another one and there will be chaos.”
– Darkouai Hakim, Mayotte resident
A Call for Long-Term Solutions
As the search for missing persons continues and relief efforts ramp up, many in Mayotte are calling for long-term solutions to address the vulnerabilities exposed by Cyclone Chido. Said Valdo, an IT entrepreneur, emphasized the need for improvements in the informal settlements:
“We are overpopulated so, if there is no long-term solution, unfortunately what is happening now will be multiplied in the coming years.”
– Said Valdo, IT entrepreneur
The tragedy unfolding in Mayotte and southeast Africa serves as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the era of climate change. As the region begins the long road to recovery, the international community must rally to provide immediate aid and support while also addressing the underlying vulnerabilities that left so many at the mercy of Cyclone Chido’s fury.
