Mayotte Endures Tropical Storm Dikeledi Following Cyclone Chido Devastation

Mayotte faced a new tropical storm, Dikeledi, on January 12, 2025, just weeks after devastating Cyclone Chido caused widespread destruction and fatalities. Authorities urged residents to shelter and prepare for possible flooding. The French government mobilized over 4,000 personnel for disaster response as the island struggles with recovery from prior damage.

On January 12, 2025, the French territory of Mayotte was impacted by a new tropical storm named Dikeledi shortly after recovering from the severe damage caused by Cyclone Chido. Tropical Storm Dikeledi brought heavy rains and strong winds, prompting authorities to order residents to remain indoors and secure food and water supplies. With the destruction from Cyclone Chido still evident, the local population was once again forced to seek refuge in cyclone shelters as flooding and landslide risks rose. The storm had weakened from a cyclone prior to its arrival, yet meteorological forecasts warned of potential reintensification into cyclone strength. More than 4,000 emergency personnel were stationed in the region to assist as the Mayotte Prefecture announced a continued red alert, highlighting the ongoing danger to the residents.

The Mayotte islands, located in the Indian Ocean, have faced significant challenges due to extreme weather conditions, particularly during cyclone season, which runs from November to April. Cyclone Chido, which struck in December 2024, was reported as the worst cyclone in nearly a century for the region, resulting in at least 39 confirmed fatalities and massive destruction. The island’s recovery efforts were still underway when Tropical Storm Dikeledi hit, exacerbating the already precarious situation. Mayotte, the poorest department in France, grapples with high population density and a notable presence of undocumented migrants, all of whom are vulnerable to the impacts of climate events.

The recent tropical storm Dikeledi presents a compounding disaster for the Mayotte islands following the devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido. Despite the storm’s reduction in intensity, the risk of flooding and landslides necessitated the mobilization of emergency services and the issuance of a red alert. This situation underscores the critical need for robust disaster response strategies in light of the increasing frequency and intensity of tropical systems affecting this vulnerable territory.

Original Source: halifax.citynews.ca