Following Cyclone Chido’s devastation, Mayotte is on red alert due to the impending arrival of Storm Dikeledi. Authorities are urging residents to prepare for heavy rains, flash floods, and potential cyclonic conditions. Significant emergency mobilization is occurring to assist vulnerable populations still affected by recent disasters.
The French territory of Mayotte is on high alert as it prepares for a new storm named Dikeledi, which follows the devastation of Cyclone Chido less than a month prior. Local authorities have urged residents to exercise “extreme vigilance” as the storm is anticipated to produce heavy rain and strong winds, with potential reclassification as a cyclone by Monday morning. Currently, Mayotte is under red alert, with emergency measures being implemented, including the mobilization of over 4,000 personnel and the reopening of shelters for vulnerable populations.
Dikeledi, having initially made landfall as a cyclone on Madagascar’s northern coast, has weakened into a severe tropical storm but is expected to regain intensity as it approaches Mayotte. The French weather service, Meteo-France, has warned of significant rainfall, flash flooding, and wind gusts reaching up to 90 kilometers per hour, advising residents to prepare by securing food and water supplies. Officials emphasize the unpredictability of this storm compared to Cyclone Chido, which caused extensive damage, leading to fatalities and injuries.
In light of the recent cyclone’s impact—with at least 39 casualties and over 5,600 injured—the local authorities have escalated preparedness efforts. Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville has underscored the need for residents to seek shelter ahead of the storm, extending the red alert to facilitate this. As of now, Mayotte’s already fragile social infrastructure, exacerbated by a significant undocumented population, faces further threats from the predicted severe weather. The lack of recovery from the previous cyclone’s impact increases community anxiety about Dikeledi’s potential repercussions.
One resident, who identified herself as Ismahane, expressed concern over the impending storm’s impact, stating “We are still not fully recovered, and I do not know if we are going to make it or not.”
Mayotte, an Indian Ocean archipelago, has recently experienced severe weather, notably Cyclone Chido, which significantly impacted its population and infrastructure. With a considerable portion of its residents living in shanty towns, recovery from such natural disasters is particularly challenging. The current situation regarding Storm Dikeledi highlights the ongoing vulnerability of Mayotte to extreme weather events, further compounded by its socio-economic conditions and the presence of undocumented inhabitants who require urgent assistance in emergencies.
In conclusion, Mayotte is facing the imminent threat of Storm Dikeledi following the devastation of Cyclone Chido, which has left the region in a precarious state. Local authorities are implementing urgent measures to safeguard the population, emphasizing the need for preparedness against potential flooding, landslides, and wind damage. The situation remains critical, prompting widespread concern among residents as they brace for the storm’s impact on their already fragile community.
Original Source: www.france24.com
