Cyclone Chido's wrath: Devastation and despair in Mayotte
Cyclone Chido has devastated the French region of Mayotte, leading to hundreds of casualties. The prefecture warns that the death toll could potentially reach several thousand.
Mayotte is a French overseas department and region situated in the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean. It is composed of two main islands and about 30 smaller uninhabited islets.
Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte, caused massive destruction. Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville stated that he believes the number of victims will "certainly be several hundreds, maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands." This is the worst cyclone to hit the region in almost 100 years.
The devastation is extensive, with many homes in the slums completely destroyed. The mayor of Mamoudzou, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, emphasized that the cyclone spared nothing in its path, demolishing a hospital and a school. Most roads are impassable, and residents are left without electricity and water.
Mayotte, being the poorest French department, faces challenges with immigration issues. According to the French Ministry of the Interior, over 100,000 undocumented immigrants reside in Mayotte. Approximately 77% of residents live below the poverty line. Many did not seek shelter for fear of deportation.
Estimating the number of casualties may be difficult because, by traditional Muslim customs strongly rooted in Mayotte, the deceased must be buried within 24 hours.
