At least 11 dead after cyclone hits Mayotte

The island of Mayotte, a French territory located in the Indian Ocean, has recently experienced a devastating event as Cyclone Chido made landfall, marking the most severe cyclone to impact the region in nearly a century. Reports indicate that at least 11 individuals have lost their lives due to the cyclone, with the possibility of the death toll rising as rescue efforts continue. The cyclone brought with it ferocious winds exceeding 225 kilometers per hour, equivalent to 140 miles per hour, leading to widespread destruction across the island. In response to this disaster, French President Emmanuel Macron has assured the citizens of Mayotte that France will provide necessary support during this challenging time. French officials have mobilized a contingent of 250 firefighters and security personnel to assist in the recovery efforts, with some already on the ground to help those affected. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed grave concerns regarding the situation, stating that many makeshift homes have been completely obliterated, and he fears that the number of casualties may increase as the situation unfolds. The aftermath of Cyclone Chido has left a trail of destruction in its wake, with numerous vehicles damaged and buildings reduced to rubble. The majority of Mayotte's population, approximately 300,000 residents, live in simple structures made from sheet metal, and tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes. Essential services such as electricity, water, and internet connectivity have been severely disrupted, leaving many without basic necessities. In an effort to provide immediate assistance, the French government has dispatched a military transport plane loaded with supplies and emergency personnel to the island. The Pamandzi airport, a crucial hub for the region, has sustained significant damage, particularly to its control tower, as reported by acting French Transport Minister Francois Durovray. He noted that air traffic will initially be restored through military aid planes, and ships are en route to ensure the resupply of essential goods. Even before the cyclone reached its peak intensity on Saturday morning, there were alarming reports of uprooted trees, roofs torn from buildings, and downed power lines. Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, the head of Mayotte's firefighters' union, conveyed the dire situation to the BFM news channel, stating that even emergency responders were unable to operate effectively due to the storm's impact. He lamented the lack of mobile phone service, which hindered communication and made it difficult to reach those in need. Buildings that were constructed to withstand earthquakes also succumbed to the cyclone's fury, highlighting the severity of the storm. The emergency services command center had to be evacuated and is currently functioning at a limited capacity. In a statement on social media, Interior Minister Retailleau expressed his unwavering support for the people of Mayotte, emphasizing that both state and local emergency services are fully mobilized to respond to the crisis. A total of 110 civil security personnel and firefighters have already been deployed to the island, with plans for a second wave of assistance to follow. French Prime Minister François Bayrou, who assumed office just days prior, described the cyclone as one of 'exceptional severity' and stated that he is receiving updates on the situation on an hourly basis. He convened an emergency meeting in Paris with relevant ministers to discuss the ongoing response efforts. Initially, Mayotte was placed under a purple alert, the highest level of warning, which mandated a strict lockdown for the entire population, including emergency services. This alert has since been downgraded to red, allowing emergency services to leave their bases and provide assistance to those in need. Retailleau noted that the island has not experienced such extreme weather conditions since 1934. Following its impact on Mayotte, the cyclone continued to intensify as it crossed the Mozambique Channel, leading to heavy rains and winds gusting up to 185 kilometers per hour in the coastal city of Pemba. Social media footage has shown significant flooding in parts of Pemba, with uprooted trees and damaged homes. The cyclone is now moving inland, bringing heavy rainfall to the neighboring Nampula province. While the winds are expected to diminish, forecasts indicate that heavy rain and flooding are likely to affect southern Malawi and later Zimbabwe.