Several hundreds, maybe thousands, may have died in Mayotte cyclone | Reuters
Cyclone Chido tore through the French territory of Mayotte over the weekend, unleashing chaos and destruction. On Saturday, December 14, the storm, with winds of 140 mph, ravaged the Indian Ocean archipelago, leaving at least 14 confirmed dead and many more feared lost. Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, a senior local French official, expressed grave concerns, saying, “There may be several hundreds or even thousands of fatalities.”
Mayotte, already under a red alert before the cyclone struck, faced its most severe storm in 90 years. Meteo-France confirmed that Cyclone Chido was the deadliest natural disaster since 1934 for the island. During the cyclone’s peak, a rare purple alert was issued, forcing the population into lockdown and halting even emergency services.
The destruction on the island is staggering. Photos show entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, with sheets of twisted metal and wooden debris scattered across the landscape. Homes, government buildings, and a hospital suffered severe damage. Makeshift shelters were obliterated, leaving thousands homeless.
The French General Directorate of Civil Security has mobilized 110 firefighters and rescuers to provide logistical, medical, and recovery support. Reinforcements are expected in the coming days, with up to 800 Civil Security personnel being sent to Mayotte. These teams will help clear debris, conduct rescues, and offer essential aid to survivors.
Mayotte’s residents face unimaginable loss, and rebuilding efforts will be a monumental task. The destruction of homes and businesses has left countless people vulnerable, with immediate needs for shelter, food, and medical care. French authorities have pledged to continue relief operations, but the full extent of the disaster remains unknown.
As the island struggles to recover, the international community watches closely, offering thoughts and support to those affected. Cyclone Chido’s wrath is a grim reminder of the growing power of natural disasters in a changing climate.
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