Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte and Southern Africa, Leaving a Trail of Destruction and Uncertainty

 

The search for missing individuals continues on the French territory of Mayotte, following the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido, which struck the islands on Saturday before moving on to southern Africa. The storm’s death toll is rising across Mozambique and Malawi, while Mayotte remains isolated with widespread damage.

While 22 fatalities have been officially confirmed in Mayotte, with over 1,300 injuries, officials warn that the final toll could be much higher, potentially in the thousands. The Red Cross reported fears that up to 200 of its volunteers are missing. The cyclone’s winds, reaching speeds of up to 140 mph, devastated Mayotte’s main island, Grande-Terre, leaving large parts of the region cut off from vital services, including roads, electricity, and communication networks.

Authorities have imposed a curfew from 10 pm to 4 am starting Tuesday due to fears of looting amid severe shortages of food and fuel. Shops are only partially open to avoid overcrowding, and fuel stations are limiting service, reserving fuel for emergency responders. Many residents are struggling without access to banking services as ATMs are out of order.

"The situation remains chaotic," said Alexis Duclos, the editor-in-chief of local news service Flash Infos. "Many people have no news of their loved ones, and communication remains extremely difficult. It’s a dire situation, with people waiting for assistance, but the resources are limited."

Mayotte, located between Madagascar and Mozambique in the Indian Ocean, is one of France’s poorest regions, with a population officially estimated at around 320,000. However, officials suggest that the real population could be much higher due to illegal migration, mainly from the nearby island nation of Comoros. Many of the island’s residents live in overcrowded, informal settlements with tin roofs, which were particularly vulnerable to the cyclone’s fierce winds. These settlements, many of which were flattened, house a significant number of undocumented migrants who, due to fear of deportation, did not seek shelter during the storm and remain hesitant to come forward for aid.

Estelle Youssouffa, a deputy representing Mayotte in France’s parliament, revealed that more than 30 bodies were buried in La Vigie, an informal settlement. She stated, "The true toll of the lives lost in these vulnerable communities will never be fully known."

President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to visit Mayotte on Thursday after convening a crisis meeting. He declared a national period of mourning in response to the tragedy. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reported no looting, but confirmed that 400 additional gendarmes would be sent to reinforce the 1,600 officers already stationed on the island.

Cyclone Chido has caused widespread destruction in southern Africa as well. In northern Mozambique, at least 34 people have died, and nearly 24,000 homes have been destroyed. Malawi has also been heavily impacted, with at least seven fatalities and significant displacement of nearly 35,000 people. Authorities in both countries are working to provide emergency relief as the death toll continues to climb.

The cyclone comes at a time when southern Africa is already grappling with the effects of a severe drought, affecting around 27 million people who are struggling to feed themselves. Experts attribute the intensity of Cyclone Chido to the warming of the Indian Ocean, exacerbated by climate change.

As the cyclone season continues, local residents are concerned about future storms. "What worries me is that we are only at the beginning of the cyclone season," said Darkaoui Hakim, a Mayotte resident currently in France. "If another storm hits, it could be even worse."

For many, the destruction caused by Cyclone Chido has underscored the urgent need for long-term solutions to the island’s overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in its informal settlements. As the island begins the long process of recovery, the road to rebuilding will be complex, with many challenges ahead for Mayotte’s most vulnerable populations.