Cyclone Chido in Mayotte: significant damage and uncertain human toll

Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with devastating force, destroying dozens of precarious homes in several areas of the island. In response, reinforcements from mainland France and Réunion Island are on their way to provide assistance.

The prefect of Mayotte, François-Xavier Bieuville, spoke on Sunday, December 15, of a potentially catastrophic human toll. “We may have to mourn several hundred deaths, perhaps nearing a thousand or even more,” he said to Mayotte la 1ère. So far, nine fatalities and hundreds of injuries have been confirmed. However, the prefect emphasized the difficulty of establishing an accurate count due to the predominantly Muslim traditions on the island, which require burying the deceased within 24 hours of their passing.

Red alert lifted, but vigilance is still required
Over 500 kilometers from Mayotte, the cyclone no longer poses a direct threat. The prefecture has lifted the red alert but urged caution regarding the risk of wave surges. A “cyclonic safeguard phase” has been initiated, while emergency teams and utility operators for electricity and water work tirelessly to restore essential services.

First relief plane arrives on site
A civil security aircraft landed in Mayotte at 3:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. Paris time), carrying three tons of medical supplies, items from the French Blood Establishment, and a team of 17 medical staff. Departing from Réunion Island, this Dash aircraft represents the beginning of relief efforts for the small French archipelago severely affected by this natural disaster.

Rescue operations are intensifying to address the extent of the destruction, but the full human and material impact of the cyclone remains to be assessed.