FRANCE: Cyclone Chido has left widespread destruction in its wake, with up to 1,000 people feared dead after the storm hit Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. Local officials have described the damage as catastrophic, with several hundred lives already lost and the true death toll expected to rise significantly.
Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the Prefect of Mayotte, spoke to local media, stating that the situation was "extremely difficult" to assess, given the scale of the damage. However, due to the overwhelming destruction, the exact number of casualties remains uncertain.
The cyclone, which reached Category 4 status, struck the southwestern Indian Ocean on Saturday, causing devastation in Mayotte, Madagascar, and the nearby islands of Comoros. Winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour (136 miles per hour) were reported as the storm battered Mayotte, making it the strongest cyclone to impact the region in over 90 years, according to France's national weather service, Meteo-France.
In addition to Mayotte, Cyclone Chido has continued to wreak havoc across northern Mozambique, where it weakened after landfall but still left significant damage. The cyclone destroyed entire neighborhoods, particularly those made up of informal structures and metal shacks, while also crippling vital infrastructure. Power grids were knocked out, hospitals and schools were flattened, and the airport’s control tower was heavily damaged.
Although the French Interior Ministry has confirmed the deaths of at least 11 people, local officials predict the toll could be much higher. They fear that the death toll could reach into the hundreds or even thousands, especially considering the damage to the slums, which were particularly vulnerable to the storm.
Now, Cyclone Chido has struck the mainland of Mozambique, reaching the province of Cabo Delgado, home to around two million people. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reported widespread destruction in the area, with many homes, schools, and healthcare facilities either partially or completely destroyed. UNICEF has warned that communities could be isolated from essential services for weeks.
"We are working closely with the government to ensure continuity of basic services, but additional support is urgently needed," said Guy Taylor, a UNICEF spokesman in Mozambique. The situation remains dire, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. As authorities continue to respond, both local and international efforts are focused on providing urgent relief to those affected by the storm.