Hundreds feared dead as Cyclone Chido devastates French island of Mayotte | Extreme weather
Devastating Mayotte“>Cyclone Chido Leaves Mayotte in Ruins, Hundreds Feared dead
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MAYOTTE, FRANCE - The idyllic French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte is reeling after Cyclone Chido, the worst storm to hit the region in nearly a century, ripped through the archipelago on saturday. The powerful cyclone uprooted trees, tore apart homes, and crippled the already fragile infrastructure of the impoverished islands.
While the official death toll currently stands at 11, authorities fear the number could soar into the thousands. “I think there will certainly be several hundreds, maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands,” said François-Xavier Bieuville, Mayotte’s prefect, in a somber interview with la 1ere TV station on Sunday.
The grim prediction stems from the traditional Muslim practice of burying the dead within 24 hours, making it tough to accurately assess the full extent of the tragedy.
Adding to the devastation, Cyclone Chido has severely hampered rescue efforts.Airports and electricity distribution networks have been crippled, and the islands already face chronic shortages of clean drinking water.
Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, the mayor of Mayotte’s capital, Mamoudzou, painted a grim picture of the situation. “The hospital is hit, the schools are hit. Houses are totally devastated,” he told Agence France-Presse. “The cyclone has spared nothing.”
Soumaila also reported nine people in critical condition and 246 others seriously injured.Local resident Ibrahim described “apocalyptic scenes” as he navigated the main island, forced to clear blocked roads himself.The full extent of the damage and the true human cost of Cyclone Chido are still unfolding. As rescue workers struggle to reach those in need, the world watches with concern as the people of Mayotte begin the long and arduous task of rebuilding their lives.
mayotte, France – The French island of Mayotte is grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, a powerful storm that ripped through the Indian Ocean territory on Saturday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. With winds reaching a staggering 140 mph, Chido tore through makeshift homes, uprooted trees, and crippled the island’s infrastructure. Aerial footage released by French gendarmerie forces paints a stark picture of the devastation, showing hundreds of homes reduced to rubble across the hillsides. The storm, which forced the island’s 320,000 residents into lockdown, has left Mayotte, France’s poorest island and the EU’s poorest territory, facing a humanitarian crisis. “Entire neighborhoods of metal shacks and huts where flattened,” said one resident. “Many trees have been uprooted, boats flipped or sunk, and the electricity supply is completely out.” In response to the disaster, French authorities have mobilized significant resources. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is scheduled to visit Mayotte on Monday, accompanied by 160 soldiers and firefighters who will join the 110 personnel already deployed. A first aid plane carrying three tons of medical supplies, blood for transfusions, and 17 medical staff landed in Mayotte on sunday afternoon. Two military aircraft carrying additional aid are expected to follow,along with a navy patrol ship equipped with personnel and supplies,including support for the electricity supplier EDF. “Our priority is to establish an air and sea bridge to Mayotte,” said Patrice Latron, the prefect of Réunion. “We aim to send 800 more rescuers in the coming days and over 80 tons of supplies have been flown in or are on their way by ship. Restoring electricity and access to drinking water are our top priorities.” The cyclone also impacted Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s northernmost province, home to approximately 2 million people.A Unicef spokesperson confirmed that many homes in the region were damaged. As Mayotte begins the long road to recovery, the international community is rallying to provide support and assistance to the island’s residents. Hundreds Feared Dead as Freddy makes Landfall, schools and Hospitals Damaged Maputo, Mozambique – cyclone Freddy, one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded in the southern hemisphere, has ripped through Mozambique, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Hundreds are feared dead, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The powerful cyclone, packing winds of over 140 mph, made landfall late Monday night near the coastal city of Vilankulo. Reports indicate widespread damage to infrastructure, with homes, businesses, and vital facilities like schools and hospitals suffering partial or complete destruction. “The situation is dire,” said a local official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “we are facing a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions. Many people have lost their homes and livelihoods, and access to clean water and medical care is severely limited.” Cyclone season in the region typically runs from December to March, and the southeastern Indian Ocean and southern Africa have been battered by a series of powerful cyclones in recent years. Cyclone Idai, in 2019, claimed over 1,300 lives across Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Last year,Cyclone Freddy itself caused over 1,000 deaths across several countries. These cyclones bring a multitude of dangers, including flooding, landslides, and the risk of deadly outbreaks of diseases like cholera, dengue fever, and malaria due to stagnant water. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying these cyclones, making them more frequent and destructive.This poses a significant threat to vulnerable nations in southern Africa, which contribute minimally to global warming. The devastating impact of Cyclone Freddy underscores the urgent need for increased support from wealthier nations to help these countries cope with the consequences of climate change. The idyllic French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte is facing catastrophe in the wake of Cyclone Chido, the worst storm to hit the region in nearly a century.Wiht winds reaching 140 mph, the cyclone ripped through the archipelago, leaving untold devastation in its path. While the official death toll currently stands at 11,fears are mounting that the true number of fatalities could climb into the thousands. I sat down with Dr. Amelie Dubois, a specialist in disaster relief and post-cyclone impact assessment, to discuss the gravity of the situation. Mark Thompson (MT): Dr. Dubois, what makes Cyclone Chido so devastating? Dr. Amelie dubois (AD): Cyclone Chido is a perfect storm of factors. We’re talking about a powerful cyclone making landfall on an island territory already facing challenges. Mayotte suffers from poverty, limited infrastructure, and pre-existing vulnerabilities. This cyclone exacerbated those issues exponentially. MT: The official death toll is already concerning,but authorities fear it might very well be much higher. What makes it so challenging to determine the true number of casualties? AD: The conventional Muslim practice of burying the dead within 24 hours, coupled with the damage to communication networks and the sheer scale of destruction, makes accurate assessment incredibly arduous. It’s a race against time for rescue teams to reach affected areas and confirm casualties. MT: What are the immediate challenges facing the people of Mayotte? AD: Beyond the loss of life, the damage to infrastructure is staggering. Homes, hospitals, schools – all severely impacted. The lack of access to clean drinking water, essential medicines, and basic sanitation will lead to further suffering and potential outbreaks of disease. MT: What can be done to help? AD: Right now, the focus must be on search and rescue efforts, providing emergency medical aid, and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation. International aid organizations are already mobilizing, but more support is urgently needed. MT: What about the long-term impact on mayotte? AD: Rebuilding Mayotte will be a monumental task,requiring sustained international support and investment. The focus needs to be on resilient infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and sustainable growth strategies to ensure the island can withstand future challenges. Dr. Dubois’s words underscore the dire situation in Mayotte. The world must rally to provide immediate relief and long-term support to help the people of Mayotte rebuild their lives.Devastating Cyclone Hits Mozambique, Leaving Trail of Destruction
“Thousands May Be Dead”: Cyclone Chido Leaves Mayotte Reeling