In what is being termed the worst cyclone to hit Mayotte in nearly a century, Cyclone Chido has unleashed widespread devastation across the French Indian Ocean territory, leaving hundreds feared dead. The cyclone, which struck on Saturday, brought winds exceeding 226 kilometers per hour (140 mph), uprooting trees, demolishing homes, and severely impacting the fragile infrastructure of the impoverished archipelago situated between Mozambique and Madagascar.

As rescue operations commence, the situation on the islands remains dire. Airports have sustained significant damage, complicating efforts to deliver aid, while electricity networks are down and access to clean drinking water—always in short supply—has been further jeopardized. François-Xavier Bieuville, Mayotte’s prefect, shared grim projections with the local media, indicating that the current confirmed death toll of 11 is likely to rise dramatically in the coming days, with estimates suggesting that hundreds, if not thousands, may have perished.

Given the cultural practice among the predominantly Muslim population of burying their deceased within 24 hours, obtaining an accurate count of casualties poses a considerable challenge. Mayor Ambdilwahedou Soumaila of Mamoudzou confirmed that while nine individuals remain in critical condition, an additional 246 have sustained serious injuries.

Eyewitness accounts describe the island as a scene of "apocalyptic" devastation, with locals encountering extensive wreckage as they navigate blocked roads. The cyclone has left a path of ruin; schools, hospitals, and residences have been profoundly affected, as families grapple with the loss of their homes and livelihoods.

In response, the French government is mobilizing support, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau scheduled to visit Mayotte accompanied by 160 soldiers and firefighters, reinforcing the initial rescue team already deployed. Additionally, critical humanitarian supplies are being airlifted, including a recent shipment of three tonnes of medical supplies that arrived just hours after the cyclone struck. Authorities in Réunion, another French territory, are coordinating additional support efforts, as more than 80 tonnes of supplies are dispatched to assist those in desperate need.

The destructive power of Cyclone Chido extended beyond Mayotte, affecting nearby areas, including the islands of Comoros and Madagascar. Reports indicate that 11 fishermen from Comoros are currently missing, raising further concerns about the cyclone's impact across the region.

As the cyclonic season, lasting from December to March, continues to wreak havoc, it serves as a painful reminder of the increasing intensity of these weather events, attributed to the climate crisis. Previous cyclones, such as Idai and Freddy, had left thousands dead, highlighting the urgent need for global attention towards the humanitarian crises facing vulnerable populations in southern Africa, who bear a negligible responsibility for climate change.

In light of the unprecedented destruction, aid organizations are bracing for extensive humanitarian challenges ahead, facing the potential risks of flooding, waterborne diseases, and other health emergencies in the cyclone's aftermath. As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, yet concerns linger over the long-term recovery efforts needed to transform the dire reality for Mayotte's 320,000 residents.