Cyclone Chido: Deadliest Storm in Mayotte in Over 90 Years

Cyclone Chido has devastated Mayotte, resulting in potential fatalities nearing one thousand and extensive destruction of infrastructure. This storm is noted as the most powerful to impact the region in over 90 years and has necessitated urgent rescue and humanitarian operations from both local and French national authorities. The situation highlights the vulnerabilities faced by developing nations amidst the growing threat of climate change-related disasters.

An unprecedented crisis has struck the French island of Mayotte, as Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to impact the region in over nine decades, wreaked havoc on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Initial reports estimate that close to one thousand residents may have perished due to the catastrophic winds and surging rainfall. Heart-wrenching reports detail the devastation of homes, education facilities, and healthcare services, necessitating urgent humanitarian assistance. Rescue operations are currently being coordinated by French authorities, which have deployed 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers alongside local rescuers. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has also activated support measures to ensure continuity of critical services amidst this tumultuous catastrophe.

Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte after decades of socio-economic challenges, including drought, underinvestment, and heightened incidences of gang violence. As an officially designated French colony since June 1843 and recognized as France’s poorest region, Mayotte’s population of over 300,000 has suffered significantly from these compounded adversities. The cyclone’s impact is exacerbated by the broader climate change narrative, wherein the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has indicated that cyclones may soon possess greater intensity and higher rates of rainfall, placing developing nations like Mayotte at increased risk for humanitarian crises.

Cyclone Chido represents a desperate call for immediate intervention for Mayotte and underscores the urgent need for enhanced support from wealthier nations to combat consequences of climate change. With a precarious humanitarian situation unfolding, and many lives at stake, the international community must rally to provide aid and assistance as the ongoing recovery efforts take shape. This devastating event serves as a critical reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by island nations in the face of escalating weather extremes.

Original Source: news.sky.com