Cyclone Chido has caused severe damage in Mayotte, with growing fears of a high death toll reported at 11 to 14 fatalities. Rescue efforts are underway but face challenges due to widespread destruction. The cyclone is noted as the worst in nearly 90 years, raising concerns over climate change’s impact on storm severity and frequency.
In the wake of Cyclone Chido, the French overseas territory of Mayotte is grappling with catastrophic damage and loss of life. The French Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, indicated that at least 11 fatalities have been reported, with an interim total issued by authorities suggesting that 14 lives may have been lost thus far. The situation remains precarious as outreach efforts to confirm the number of deceased and injured are hindered by extensive destruction. Reports indicate that a hospital is treating nine individuals in critical condition among a total of 246 injured.
Minister Retailleau is preparing to travel to Mayotte, accompanied by 160 soldiers and firefighters, joining 110 personnel already dispatched from mainland France ahead of the storm’s impact. Cyclone Chido generated major destruction as it passed through the southeastern Indian Ocean, affecting not only Mayotte but also the nearby nations of Comoros and Madagascar. This cyclone is considered the most severe to strike Mayotte in nearly a century. The storm has now progressed to Mozambique, posing a threat to 2.5 million residents across two affected provinces.
Emergency responders are being deployed via air and sea, but their efforts face significant challenges due to widespread damage to transportation infrastructure and continuing power outages in an area that already experiences chronic water scarcity. The cyclone, with gusts exceeding 226 kilometers per hour, has devastated shantytowns, uprooted trees, and disproportionately affected the vulnerable segments of the population, prompting authorities to predict a considerable increase in the death toll.
In terms of infrastructure, more than 15,000 residences have lost power, with telecommunications severely compromised. The Pamandzi airport has sustained extensive damage, impacting emergency operations. Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq has articulated that the entire health system in Mayotte has been significantly overwhelmed by the emergency. Neighboring Comoros has also experienced flooding and property damage, although to a lesser extent. UNICEF is actively coordinating support efforts to restore essential services for those impacted by the storm, whose destructive capabilities are attributed to climate change, exacerbated by unusually high sea temperatures in the Indian Ocean.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has expressed concerns regarding widespread exposure of 1.7 million individuals to potential further hazards, including excessive rainfall and flash flooding that may affect surrounding countries, including Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. The ramifications of Cyclone Chido echo those of earlier storms in terms of their lethal and devastating impacts, which experts link directly to the intensifying threats posed by climate change.
Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte, a French overseas territory, and is being characterized as one of the worst storms in nearly a century. The cyclone impacted not only Mayotte but also affected Comoros and Madagascar before making landfall in Mozambique, thereby raising concerns of widespread destruction and potential loss of life. Historical analysis suggests that recent cyclones share similarities in strength and devastation linked to climate change, prompting increased scrutiny on global weather patterns influenced by warming oceans.
In summary, Cyclone Chido has resulted in substantial devastation across Mayotte, with initial reports indicating a significant mortality rate and numerous injuries. The French government’s response includes mobilizing military personnel and emergency services to aid recovery efforts. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing threats posed by climate change, as evidenced by the destructive nature of recent storms worldwide.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
