CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido has left Mayotte, a French territory, in a state of crisis, with the death toll potentially reaching “several hundred” or even thousands, according to the island’s top official during a local news broadcast on Sunday.
In light of the catastrophic impact, France has quickly mobilized rescue teams and critical supplies to assist this economically disadvantaged overseas department in the Indian Ocean, which has sustained extensive destruction.
François-Xavier Bieuville, the Prefect of Mayotte, conveyed his bleak outlook to the TV channel Mayotte la 1ere, suggesting that the number of fatalities could rise significantly, possibly approaching a thousand or more due to the cyclone’s intensity. He stated, “I believe there are several hundred dead, and we may well reach the thousands… given the severity of this disaster.”
Bieuville previously referred to this as the most powerful cyclone to hit Mayotte in nearly a century.
He pointed out the difficulties in accurately determining the casualty count and injuries following the island’s battering by the fierce storm on Saturday, which caused significant infrastructure damage, including to the airport, and left entire neighborhoods in ruin with widespread power outages.
Earlier on Sunday, the French Interior Ministry reported at least 11 confirmed deaths and over 250 injuries, warning that these numbers are likely to increase substantially.
Situated in the southwestern Indian Ocean off the African coast, Mayotte is known as France’s poorest island and the least wealthy territory within the European Union, with a population of around 300,000 spread over two main islands.
Bieuville highlighted that the most severe devastation occurred in impoverished areas filled with makeshift metal shacks and informal housing that are common across Mayotte. He expressed doubt about the official death toll, remarking, “That number doesn’t seem credible when you see the images from the slums.”
“I fear the human toll is much greater,” he added.
Mayotte was hit hardest by Cyclone Chido
Cyclone Chido swept through the southwestern Indian Ocean on Friday and Saturday, affecting neighboring islands such as Comoros and Madagascar. However, Mayotte bore the brunt of the cyclone, with winds exceeding 220 kph (136 mph), as reported by the French meteorological service, which classified it as a category 4 cyclone, making it one of the most powerful storms on the scale.
Afterward, Chido made landfall in Mozambique, raising alarms for more than 2 million people living in northern regions, according to local officials.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for the people of Mayotte, while Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is set to visit the island on Monday. Following an emergency meeting in Paris, Retailleau recognized the likelihood of a high death toll, and newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou, who just took office on Friday, noted the extensive infrastructure damage throughout Mayotte.
Pope Francis also offered his prayers for the victims during a visit to the French Mediterranean island of Corsica on Sunday.
France is planning to set up an air and sea bridge to Mayotte
Rescue and firefighting teams have been dispatched from France and the nearby French territory of Reunion, with supplies being delivered using military aircraft and ships. Damage to the airport’s control tower has limited flights to military operations only.
Patrice Latron, the prefect of Reunion, announced plans to establish an air and sea connection between Reunion and Mayotte. An additional 800 rescue personnel are expected to arrive in the coming days, with over 80 tons of supplies already delivered or on their way by sea. Latron stressed the urgent need for restoring electricity and ensuring access to clean drinking water.
The French Interior Ministry has deployed 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers to assist the local population and prevent potential looting.
In many areas of Mayotte, entire sections of metal structures and shanties have been flattened, with residents reporting uprooted trees, capsized boats, and significant power outages.
Chad Youyou, a resident of Hamjago in northern Mayotte, shared videos on Facebook showcasing the extensive devastation in his village and the surrounding areas, where nearly every tree had been uprooted.
“Mayotte is in ruins… we are utterly devastated,” he lamented.
Cyclone’s effects reach northern Mozambique
Chido continued its path towards northern Mozambique, causing further destruction, while landlocked nations Malawi and Zimbabwe are warning about potential evacuations due to anticipated flooding.
In Mozambique, UNICEF reported that Cabo Delgado province, home to approximately 2 million residents, was the first area affected, with many homes, schools, and health facilities either partially or completely destroyed.
UNICEF Mozambique spokesperson Guy Taylor underscored the risk of communities being cut off from educational and health services for weeks, as authorities have warned of an increased likelihood of landslides.
The cyclone season lasts from December to March in the southwestern Indian Ocean, and southern Africa has faced a series of powerful storms in recent years. Cyclone Idai in 2019 resulted in over 1,300 deaths, primarily in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, while Cyclone Freddy led to more than 1,000 fatalities across multiple countries last year.
These cyclones bring risks of flooding and landslides, and stagnant water left behind can lead to deadly outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, as well as dengue fever and malaria.
Research indicates that the intensity of cyclones is increasing due to climate change, placing a heavy burden on impoverished nations in Africa that contribute minimally to global warming, underscoring the urgent need for support from wealthier nations to address the impacts of climate change.
—Corbet reported from Paris.
