Catastrophic Cyclone Chido Batters French Territory of Mayotte

In a devastating turn of events, the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte has experienced a catastrophic cyclone, marking one of the most severe weather events in nearly a century. Cyclone Chido made landfall on Saturday, bringing destructive winds exceeding 225 km/h (140 mph) and wreaking havoc across the islands. Tragically, reports indicate that at least two fatalities have already occurred, with fears that the death toll may rise as rescue operations commence.

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged solidarity with Mayotte's inhabitants, stating that the French government will "be there" to support them during this crisis. In response to the disaster, French authorities have dispatched 250 firefighters and security personnel to Mayotte, with many already on the ground. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau revealed the extent of the destruction, noting that "all makeshift homes have been completely destroyed" and expressing concerns over a potentially high death toll.

Nestled northwest of Madagascar, Mayotte consists of the main island, Grand-Terre, alongside several smaller isles. The cyclone's impact was felt even before it struck its peak, with reports emerging of uprooted trees, rooftops torn off buildings, and downed power lines. Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, the head of the island’s firefighters' union, shared harrowing news, stating, "even emergency responders are locked down." Communication has been severely disrupted; mobile phone services are down, hampering efforts to reach those in distress.

In a concerning development, the emergency services command center had to be evacuated due to the cyclone, which has been so powerful that even structures built to withstand earthquakes have not held up. This unprecedented weather event is reminiscent of the last time Mayotte faced such severe conditions, which was in 1934.

Significant damage has also been reported at Pamandzi Airport, particularly to the control tower, as conveyed by acting French Transport Minister Francois Durovray. Air traffic is expected to be facilitated initially through military aid flights, and maritime resupply efforts are underway.

Interior Minister Retailleau reiterated the commitment of the French government, stating, "I offer my full support to the people of Mayotte," emphasizing that civil security personnel and firefighters are actively engaged in the rescue operations. A second wave of helpers is poised to arrive soon, with 140 additional personnel set to deploy.

Prime Minister François Bayrou, who assumed office just days before the cyclone's wrath, described the storm's intensity as "exceptional" and assured that he is being updated on the evolving situation "hour by hour."

Initially, Mayotte was placed under a purple alert—the highest level—which necessitated a strict lockdown for everyone, including emergency services. In light of the dire circumstances, this alert has now been reduced to red, allowing vital emergency operations to resume.

As the situation develops, Cyclone Chido is expected to impact neighboring Mozambique on the African mainland, raising concerns for additional communities in its path. The scale of the destruction and the island's swift recovery will be closely monitored in the coming days as rescue and relief efforts are intensified.