France is sending urgent aid to Mayotte after Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage and a feared death toll in the hundreds or thousands. Rescue teams have been deployed to assist the local population as the situation remains dire.
In the wake of Cyclone Chido, France is urgently dispatching humanitarian aid to Mayotte, its overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, which has suffered catastrophic damage. Authorities fear that the death toll could rise significantly, with estimates suggesting that several hundred to potentially thousands of lives have been lost. Currently, the official count stands at 14 fatalities. Rescue teams along with medical personnel have commenced operations, delivering essential supplies as the situation deteriorates.
Cyclone Chido, which struck on Saturday, has been described as the worst storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century. The cyclone, classified as a Category 4 due to its wind speeds exceeding 220 kph (136 mph), impacted Mayotte, home to approximately 300,000 residents, particularly affecting its vulnerable slums. The island, recognized as the poorest department in France and the European Union, is now grappling with a humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by ongoing issues related to undocumented migrants and inferior infrastructure.
In conclusion, the devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido on Mayotte represents a significant humanitarian crisis, with French authorities rapidly mobilizing resources to address immediate needs. The true scale of loss remains undetermined, complicating relief efforts as communities begin to recover from the storm’s impact. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by remote territories within the EU, particularly in the context of natural disasters during cyclone season.
Original Source: apnews.com
