Cyclone Chido, ‘Worst in a Century,’ Ravages France’s Mayotte; Thousands Feared Dead
Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, has been left reeling after Cyclone Chido, described as the “worst in a century,” unleashed unprecedented destruction across the island. Early estimates suggest the death toll could reach into the thousands, with countless others injured or missing.
Cyclone Chido made landfall with record-breaking wind speeds and torrential rains, leading to widespread flooding, collapsed infrastructure, and displaced communities. Entire villages have been washed away, and emergency services are overwhelmed as they attempt to rescue survivors and assess the full extent of the devastation.
Local officials described the situation as catastrophic. “We are witnessing a humanitarian disaster,” said a spokesperson for Mayotte’s emergency response team. “The cyclone has destroyed homes, schools, and hospitals. Communications are down, and access to remote areas is nearly impossible.”
France has mobilized emergency resources, dispatching military personnel and humanitarian aid to the island. President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the people of Mayotte, pledging to provide all necessary support. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this unimaginable tragedy,” he said in a statement.
The international community has also begun organizing aid efforts, with relief organizations calling for urgent donations to assist the island’s recovery. Cyclone Chido serves as a grim reminder of the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change.
As rescue operations continue, authorities brace for the possibility that the final toll of the disaster could climb even higher.
