Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to strike Mayotte in over 90 years, has left the French island in the Indian Ocean in ruins. At least 250 people have been injured, and countless residents, including undocumented migrants, are grappling with critical shortages of food, water, and shelter. The storm, fueled by climate change and unprecedented ocean temperatures, has triggered a humanitarian crisis in the region.
Catastrophic Loss of Life
Initial reports indicate that Cyclone Chido has caused widespread devastation. While an exact death toll remains elusive, authorities fear the numbers could be staggering. Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the local prefect of Mayotte, expressed grave concern during an interview with Mayotte Le 1er, a local media outlet. “I think there will certainly be several hundreds; maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands,” he said.
The French Interior Ministry echoed the difficulty of estimating casualties, citing logistical challenges in a region where many victims may have already been buried in accordance with Islamic traditions, which require burials within 24 hours.
Adding to the tragedy, Mayotte’s infrastructure, including its primary hospital and essential government buildings, has been severely impacted, further complicating recovery efforts.
Mayotte in Ruins
Cyclone Chido tore through Mayotte overnight, bringing winds of over 255 km/h (140 mph), according to Météo-France. The storm obliterated makeshift housing, uprooted trees, and hurled electricity poles to the ground. Aerial footage released by French gendarmerie forces revealed the full extent of the destruction—entire neighborhoods of improvised homes reduced to rubble, leaving thousands of families homeless.
Ambdilwahedou Sounmaila, the mayor of Mamoudzou, Mayotte’s capital, described the harrowing scenes. “The hospital is hit, the school is hit. Houses are totally devastated,” he told AFP. “The hurricane spared nothing.”
At least 245 people suffered serious injuries, and nine others remain gravely wounded in overwhelmed hospitals. Many residents, already living in precarious conditions, have been left without access to clean water, electricity, or adequate medical care.
Vulnerable Communities Worst Affected
Mayotte is home to over 100,000 undocumented migrants, primarily from nearby Comoros, many of whom live in makeshift settlements that were no match for the cyclone’s ferocity. These communities, already facing social marginalization and poverty, have been disproportionately affected.
Ibrahim, a local resident, described the scenes as “apocalyptic.” Roads were blocked by fallen debris, forcing him to clear paths by hand. “It feels like the end of the world,” he said, recounting his struggle to navigate through the devastation.
Mayotte, a French overseas territory located nearly 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) from Paris, is significantly poorer than mainland France. Social unrest, gang violence, and a recent water shortage had already stretched the island’s resources thin, leaving it ill-prepared for a disaster of this magnitude.
Global Implications and Climate Change
Cyclone Chido is not just a localized disaster—it is part of a growing pattern of extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. Experts have attributed the cyclone’s extraordinary strength to unusually warm waters in the Indian Ocean.
François Gourand, a meteorologist with Météo-France, called the cyclone “exceptional,” explaining that it was supercharged by climate conditions. Similar phenomena have been observed in recent years, including Cyclone Gombe in 2022 and Cyclone Freddy in 2023, which caused significant destruction in Mozambique, killing 60 and 86 people, respectively.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that Cyclone Chido poses a threat to 1.7 million people across the region. As the storm moved on to northern Mozambique, it continued to cause heavy rainfall and strong winds, raising concerns of further destruction and potential flash flooding in neighboring Malawi through Monday.
Recovery Efforts Hampered by Limited Resources
Mayotte’s recovery will be an uphill battle. The island’s already strained infrastructure has been dealt a devastating blow. The hospital in Mamoudzou, which was already struggling to meet the needs of the population, has been severely damaged. Makeshift shelters for displaced residents are overcrowded, and relief workers are struggling to provide food, water, and medical care.
Aid agencies have found it difficult to reach some of the hardest-hit areas. Communication lines are down, and many roads are blocked by fallen trees and debris. NetBlocks, an internet monitoring service, reported significant damage to power and telecommunications infrastructure across the region.
France has pledged its support, sending emergency aid and rescue teams to assist in the relief efforts. However, the island’s remote location and logistical challenges are slowing the response.
A Call for Global Solidarity
Cyclone Chido serves as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events linked to climate change. Vulnerable regions like Mayotte, which already face economic and social challenges, are often the hardest hit.
The international community must act swiftly, not only to support Mayotte in its recovery but also to address the broader implications of climate change. Investments in resilient infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development are urgently needed to protect vulnerable populations from future catastrophes.
As Mayotte’s residents begin the long and arduous process of rebuilding their lives, their resilience will be tested like never before. The world must not turn a blind eye to their suffering. Cyclone Chido is not just a local tragedy; it is a global wake-up call to the urgent need for climate action and humanitarian support.