Cyclone Chido has devastated Mayotte, leading to a red alert and widespread destruction. Authorities are mobilizing emergency services while assessing damages and providing aid. Communication issues have complicated efforts to assist those affected, prompting national support and urgent recovery measures.
Cyclone Chido has caused severe devastation in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, compelling authorities to declare a red alert status, according to prefect François-Xavier Bieuville. While the alert has been downgraded from violet, Bieuville emphasized that the cyclone’s impact is ongoing and urged residents to stay inside and support one another during this crisis. The cyclone, described as the most intense encountered by the island in ninety years, has left many residents with significant losses.
Bruno Retailleau, the outgoing interior minister, highlighted extensive damage across the island and confirmed that both state and local emergency services are fully engaged in recovery efforts. He reported the immediate deployment of 110 civil security personnel and firefighters, with an additional 140 expected to arrive the following day. Retailleau urged the public to heed directives from local authorities as they assess the damage and intervene accordingly.
The Ministry of the Interior has commenced evaluations of essential infrastructure such as hospitals, airports, and administrative buildings. Preventive measures are in place to guard against looting in affected areas. The ministry noted that no definitive human or material toll has yet been determined due to the ongoing recovery situation. Mayotte’s weather authority recorded wind speeds exceeding 226 kilometers per hour, and while conditions are anticipated to improve as the cyclone relocates, more than 15,000 homes have reportedly lost power.
Emergency responders have faced significant challenges, hindered by communication outages, which have left them unable to contact individuals on the island. Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, the leader of Mayotte’s firefighters’ union, expressed concerns regarding the resiliency of structures built to withstand earthquakes, stating that even these have failed under the storm’s pressure. Additionally, the archipelago’s main airport, Dzaoudzi, has been temporary closed for safety.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou has committed to monitoring the development of the situation closely, while President Emmanuel Macron reassured the residents of Mayotte of their country’s support during this urgent crisis. Macron indicated that reinforcements would be dispatched promptly to assist in recovery efforts, emphasizing national solidarity with the affected population as they navigate the aftermath of Cyclone Chido.
Cyclone Chido has significantly impacted Mayotte, a French territory situated in the Indian Ocean, marking one of the most catastrophic natural disasters encountered by the archipelago in nearly a century. The cyclone’s effects prompted emergency alerts and mobilization of local and state authorities, as they strive to manage the damage and provide aid to the affected residents. Cyclones pose a considerable threat to island territories, particularly those with limited infrastructure and emergency services, highlighting the importance of disaster preparedness and rapid response frameworks.
In summary, Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc on Mayotte, resulting in extensive damage and prompting authorities to declare a red alert. Emergency services are actively engaged in recovery operations, yet communication challenges complicate their efforts. The French government has pledged to support the affected residents and mobilize additional resources to aid in the crisis. The situation underscores the vulnerabilities faced by island communities in the wake of severe weather events and the need for effective disaster management strategies.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
