The French Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte is grappling with an unimaginable tragedy as Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit the region in over 90 years, swept through overnight. Local authorities fear the death toll could reach hundreds, or even thousands, marking one of the deadliest natural disasters in the island’s history.
“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 statement to local media channel Mayotte La 1ère. The French interior ministry admitted that it was too early to provide an accurate count, stating that it “will be difficult to account for all victims” given the extent of destruction.
Unprecedented Devastation
Cyclone Chido barreled through Mayotte with winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph), leaving a trail of destruction across the archipelago. Homes, government buildings, and even a hospital were severely damaged, according to Meteo-France. Aerial footage shared by the French gendarmerie revealed makeshift houses reduced to rubble across Mayotte’s hills.
“Honestly, what we are experiencing is a tragedy. You feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war… I saw an entire neighborhood disappear,” said Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of Mamoudzou, Mayotte’s capital.
Images from the scene depicted the chaos: a mother navigating a flooded hospital corridor with her newborn’s crib, coconut trees crashing through rooftops, and capsized police boats littering the shore.
Humanitarian Crisis Looms
President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with the people of Mayotte. “My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte, who have gone through the most horrific few hours, and who have, for some, lost everything, lost their lives,” Macron said. The French government has initiated an air bridge from Réunion, another French overseas territory, to provide emergency aid, including food, water, and medical supplies.
The cyclone has exacerbated pre-existing challenges on the impoverished island, where over three-quarters of the population live below France’s poverty line. Many residents, already grappling with water shortages and gang violence, now face acute shortages of food and clean water. Access to sanitation has become a critical concern.
“For the toll, it’s going to be complicated because Mayotte is a Muslim land where the dead are buried within 24 hours,” a French interior ministry official explained, highlighting the difficulties in accounting for victims.
Historical Context and Migration Challenges
Mayotte, colonized by France in 1843 and annexed in 1904, has a fraught history. While Comoros gained independence in 1975, Mayotte chose to remain under French governance. This decision has made it a destination for migrants from nearby Comoros seeking better living conditions and access to French welfare benefits. Currently, over 100,000 undocumented migrants live on the island, according to the French interior ministry.
The cyclone has laid bare the vulnerabilities of this population, many of whom live in precarious conditions. The hills strewn with wreckage were home to many makeshift houses built by these migrant communities.
Regional Impact
Cyclone Chido did not spare the region beyond Mayotte. In Comoros, 21 homes were destroyed, and 24 people were displaced. Two residents suffered injuries. The storm later moved toward northern Mozambique, where it caused significant damage to power and telecommunications infrastructure, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks. However, the full extent of its impact on Mozambique remains unclear.
Government’s First Major Test
The disaster presents an early challenge for French Prime Minister François Bayrou, who was appointed just days ago following the collapse of the previous government. Bayrou must now oversee a robust response to this catastrophic event, balancing immediate relief efforts with long-term recovery plans.
A Long Road to Recovery
Mayotte, located nearly 8,000 kilometers from Paris, is significantly poorer than mainland France. Decades of neglect have left its infrastructure ill-equipped to handle a disaster of this magnitude. Efforts to rebuild will require sustained investment and support from the French government.
For now, the people of Mayotte are focused on survival and mourning. The storm’s aftermath has left residents grappling with loss and uncertainty, their lives upended by nature’s fury.
As aerial footage and survivor testimonies continue to emerge, the scale of the disaster is becoming heartbreakingly clear. Cyclone Chido has left an indelible scar on Mayotte, a tragedy that will be remembered as one of the darkest chapters in the archipelago’s history.