High Death Toll Feared in Mayotte After Cyclone Chido Devastates Territory

Cyclone Chido has devastated Mayotte, causing at least 11 confirmed deaths and significant injuries. The storm is described as the worst in nearly a century, severely impacting infrastructure and essential services. Rescue efforts are complicated by ongoing damage. The cyclone continues to threaten Mozambique and has affected the Comoros islands.

Concerns are rising regarding a potential high death toll in Mayotte, a French overseas territory, following the recent destruction caused by Cyclone Chido. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reported 11 confirmed fatalities, with earlier reports citing 14 deaths. As rescue efforts progress, a hospital in Mayotte indicates that nine individuals are in critical condition and 246 are injured. Retailleau is set to visit Mayotte alongside military and firefighting personnel to aid in recovery efforts following this devastating event.

Cyclone Chido, which made landfall Saturday, has been described by officials as the worst cyclone to impact Mayotte in nearly a century. Approximately 320,000 residents were ordered into lockdown as the storm produced winds exceeding 226 kilometers per hour, leading to widespread destruction across the territory. Recovery missions are hampered by extensive damage to infrastructure, including airports and electrical systems, with over 15,000 homes currently without power.

Additional concerns arise as the cyclone moves towards Mozambique, where emergency authorities have warned that approximately 2.5 million individuals may be affected. The Comoros Islands also experienced significant impacts from the storm, although less severe compared to Mayotte. UNICEF has mobilized to provide assistance to those affected, emphasizing the damage to homes, schools, and health facilities. Experts attribute Cyclone Chido’s intensity to the phenomenon of climate change that contributes to increasingly severe weather events in many regions.

Cyclone Chido represents a significant natural disaster that underscores the vulnerability of coastal territories such as Mayotte to intense weather systems, which are projected to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change. This event has highlighted the frailty of local infrastructure during extreme weather events and the challenges faced by emergency services in disaster response. Understanding the broader implications of this storm informs ongoing discussions regarding disaster preparedness and climate resilience in vulnerable regions.

In summary, Cyclone Chido has wrought devastating effects on Mayotte, leading to a tragic loss of life and significant infrastructure damage. The government and humanitarian organizations are scrambling to respond, but challenges such as communication breakdowns and disrupted services inhibit recovery efforts. The impacts of this cyclone serve as a grim reminder of the heightened risks posed by climate change in the region.

Original Source: www.lemonde.fr