Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, 2024, causing extensive devastation. The cyclone has claimed at least 21 lives, injured over 830, and left a third of the island’s population homeless. Authorities fear the death toll may rise to hundreds or even thousands due to the severity of the damage, which includes severe impacts on local healthcare facilities and infrastructure.
Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mayotte on December 14, 2024, becoming the strongest storm to impact the island in 90 years. With winds reaching 180 to 230 km/h (112 to 143 mph), the cyclone has caused catastrophic damage, leading to a reported 21 fatalities and over 830 injuries, although authorities caution that the actual death toll could escalate into the hundreds or even thousands. The cyclone rendered approximately one-third of Mayotte’s 320,000 residents homeless, displacing over 100,000 individuals to emergency shelters and leaving 15,000 without power.
As the cyclone tore through the French Indian Ocean territory, it resulted in widespread destruction of infrastructure, knocking down electric poles, uprooting trees, and severely damaging local health facilities. The hospital experienced significant water damage, disrupting essential services, including surgical and emergency units. Local officials are working tirelessly to restore order, noting that the full extent of the devastation remains unclear.
According to Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville, the island is facing a humanitarian crisis as thousands are left vulnerable and in need of assistance. His apprehension regarding the potential death toll underscores the urgent need for further investigation into the aftermath of the cyclone. Minister of Health Geneviève Darrieussecq emphasized the dire condition of medical facilities, stating, “The hospital has suffered major water damage and destruction, notably in the surgical, intensive care, maternity, and emergency units.” The government has mobilized resources, sending aid, medical supplies, and personnel to assist in relief efforts.
Scenes of destruction have emerged, depicting a landscape where makeshift homes have been obliterated. Witnesses, such as Ibrahim, described the aftermath as “apocalyptic.” Emergency services are stretched thin, and additional flights carrying medical personnel and supplies are expected to assist the local population.
The impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido on Mayotte marks a significant climatic event, as it strikes an island that has not faced such severe weather for nearly a century. Mayotte, a French Indian Ocean territory, is bound by its geography, with the cyclone exacerbating existing vulnerabilities within its infrastructure. The cyclone’s intense winds and rain have overwhelmed local services, causing health and safety systems to collapse, further complicating the rescue and recovery efforts in the wake of this disaster. Knowledge of previous cyclones and their aftermath lends an understanding to the challenges faced during natural calamities in island regions like Mayotte.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has wreaked unprecedented havoc on Mayotte, with significant destruction and loss of life. The full ramifications of the cyclone are still unfolding, and authorities are in a race against time to assist those affected. The local healthcare system, already strained, faces overwhelming demands as efforts to restore infrastructure continue. Moving forward, Mayotte will require substantial support to recover from this disaster and rebuild its communities.
Original Source: watchers.news
