The French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte is reeling from the impact of Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm described as the worst in over 90 years, CNN reports.
The cyclone, which struck Saturday, left a trail of destruction, with fears the death toll could reach hundreds, or even thousands. While the French Interior Ministry has confirmed 11 deaths, local officials say this figure vastly underestimates the scale of the tragedy.
Chido, packing winds exceeding 136 mph, tore through the southwestern Indian Ocean, impacting northern Madagascar before intensifying dramatically as it hit Mayotte. The storm flattened neighborhoods, knocked out power, destroyed hospitals and schools, and damaged the airport’s control tower. The impact has been particularly severe in informal settlements, home to many of the approximately 100,000 undocumented migrants living on the island. Aerial footage shows entire villages reduced to rubble. One official commented that the reported death toll is “not plausible” given the extent of the damage in these areas.
The scale of the destruction, coupled with significant damage to roads and communication networks, has severely hampered rescue efforts. Around two-thirds of the island remains inaccessible, according to Estelle Youssouffa, a member of the Mayotte parliament. Many undocumented residents chose not to evacuate due to fear of arrest, compounding the crisis, according to Antoine Piacenza, a local school teacher. This fear stems from France’s recent intensified efforts to deport undocumented migrants.
The island, located about 5,000 miles from Paris, is the poorest region in the European Union and already faces significant challenges with unemployment, violence, and a migration crisis. The communication blackout, lasting over 36 hours, further hindered rescue efforts. However, France has mobilized a significant response, dispatching hundreds of rescuers, firefighters, and police from mainland France and Réunion Island. The first military aircraft carrying aid have landed. Desperate family members have taken to social media to seek information on missing loved ones.
The devastation in Mayotte echoes the catastrophic impact of Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, which struck Mozambique in 2019, causing hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement. Scientists link the increasing intensity of these storms to climate change and rising sea levels.
