An exceptionally intense tropical cyclone is hitting the island of Mayotte on Saturday, December 14. Initially placed on purple alert, the area is now on red cyclone alert. While residents are required to stay confined, rescue teams are authorized to intervene to “assist the most vulnerable individuals”

Crisis meeting at Matignon

Prime Minister François Bayrou convened an interministerial crisis meeting on Saturday, December 14, at 7:00 PM in response to the dramatic situation caused by Cyclone Chido, which is hitting the island of Mayotte. The meeting is being held in the presence of the resigning Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau. The cyclone, which has plunged the island into an exceptional crisis, led authorities to place the department on red cyclone alert, with emergency teams mobilized to assist the population.

Mobilization of law enforcement

The Ministry of the Interior has deployed nearly 1,600 police officers and gendarmes to secure the affected areas and prevent any looting. Bruno Retailleau, in contact with the Prefect of Mayotte, emphasized the need for a maximum mobilization of law enforcement to provide aid to the inhabitants and ensure public safety in the face of the cyclone’s violence. “We are facing an emergency situation,” the minister stated in his latest comments.

Significant damage across the archipelago

The damage across the archipelago is severe, with several residents sharing images of destruction: roofs torn off, streets devastated, and critical infrastructure heavily damaged. The president of the Association of Mayotte Mayors, Madi Madi Souf, described an apocalyptic scene, particularly in Mamoudzou, where slums were completely wiped out. “Even the administrative buildings lost their roofs,” he added. Despite the extensive destruction, he expressed hope that the island would escape a tragic human toll, saying, “If there are no casualties, it will truly be a miracle.”

A cyclone of exceptional intensity

Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with an intensity rarely seen. According to Météo-France, the island experienced wind gusts exceeding 200 km/h, a force comparable to the 1934 cyclone. As the eye of the cyclone has now passed, weather conditions are gradually improving, but the situation remains dire. The forecaster pointed out that this storm is the most powerful Mayotte has experienced in over 90 years, leaving a trail of major destruction behind.

Deployment of reinforcements and emergency supplies

In response to the emergency, Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu announced the immediate dispatch of an A400M aircraft carrying humanitarian aid and civil security resources. This plane will be accompanied by a frigate and a helicopter, which will arrive tomorrow to reinforce the assistance already in place. “We must respond to the urgency of the crisis by sending resources to support rescue efforts and help with reconstruction,” Lecornu specified.

Casualties and damage in Petite-Terre

The cyclone has also claimed lives, particularly on the island of Petite-Terre, located to the east of Mamoudzou. Two people were killed during the passage of the cyclone, according to security sources. The situation remains critical, and authorities are racing against time to assist the victims and ensure the safety of the inhabitants.

Destruction of infrastructure and restoration of traffic

The island’s infrastructure has been heavily damaged, with Mayotte’s airport in particular suffering significant destruction, especially to the control tower. François Durovray, the resigning Minister of Transport, confirmed that the road infrastructure was also severely impacted and that a detailed assessment of the damage would be carried out quickly. In the short term, military planes will restore air traffic, while rescue ships will be deployed to ensure the island’s supplies.

Crucial hours ahead

Rescue efforts continue at a fast pace as local and national authorities work together to cope with this unprecedented natural disaster. The coming hours will be critical for Mayotte, as it struggles to recover from the devastating impact of this cyclone.