Cyclone Chido Leaves Trail of Destruction in French Indian Ocean Archipelago of Mayotte
Several hundred people, and possibly thousands, may have been killed when Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm in nearly a century, struck the French Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte, according to a senior local French official. The storm brought winds of over 200 kph and caused widespread damage to housing, government buildings, and a hospital.
"We are experiencing a tragedy. We feel like we’re in the aftermath of a nuclear war… I saw an entire neighborhood disappear," said Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of Mayotte’s capital Mamoudzou. Aerial footage showed the wreckage of hundreds of makeshift houses strewn across the hills of one of Mayotte’s islands, which have been a focal point for illegal immigration from nearby Comoros.
The cyclone, which is the strongest storm to hit the islands in over 90 years, has also raised concerns about access to food, water, and sanitation. It is difficult to determine the exact number of victims, as many people may have been buried within 24 hours of their death in accordance with Muslim tradition.
Mayotte is a poor, French overseas territory with over 75% of its population living below the French poverty line. The island has faced gang violence and social unrest for decades. The disaster is a challenge for new Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who took office just days ago. The cyclone has also hit northern Mozambique, with damage to infrastructure and homes reported.
