Mayotte was hit by Tropical Storm Dikeledi shortly after rebuilding from Cyclone Chido, which had recently claimed lives and caused significant injuries. The storm prompted red alerts as authorities cautioned against flooding and landslides, and emergency shelters were established to assist affected residents. The local sentiment has intensified due to perceived governmental neglect amidst the ongoing recovery from previous disasters.
On December 21, 2024, the French territory of Mayotte experienced the impact of Tropical Storm Dikeledi, merely weeks after recovering from the disastrous effects of Cyclone Chido, which had struck on December 14. The cyclone claimed the lives of at least 39 individuals, with many others reported missing and thousands injured. The recent tropical storm prompted authorities to issue shelter orders, urging residents to prepare for potential flooding and landslides as heavy rains and strong winds were anticipated.
As Dikeledi passed 100 kilometers south of Mayotte, it was downgraded from its earlier cyclone status but remained a serious threat. The French meteorological service, Meteo-France, indicated a possibility of Dikeledi strengthening again. Emergency personnel were deployed throughout Mayotte, particularly in vulnerable informal settlements that had been severely affected by earlier flooding. With schools and community centers serving as cyclone shelters, the situation remained precarious, and the international airport was closed indefinitely due to prior damage from Cyclone Chido.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, amid criticisms of governmental neglect, local sentiments surged when French President Emmanuel Macron visited following the disaster. The islands, with approximately 320,000 residents and an estimated 100,000 undocumented migrants, are grappling with the compounded toll of the cyclones. The recent destruction in Mbouini, a village previously unharmed, illustrated the extent of Dikeledi’s impact, compelling residents to evacuate their homes using canoes amid rising waters.
The Mayotte islands, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, frequently face severe weather challenges, particularly during the cyclone season running from November to April. With their primal economy and the fragility of infrastructure, both well-established and informal settlements have suffered devastating consequences from recent cyclones. Cyclone Chido had previously wreaked havoc, making it the worst such disaster in 90 years, and the repercussions of this new tropical storm exacerbated the situation. Anxiety grows among the local population as challenges in providing adequate emergency services and shelter arise amid ongoing recovery efforts. The population is compounded by a large number of undocumented migrants, primarily from Comoros, seeking refuge due to the favorable French welfare system. The convergence of these socio-economic factors raises pertinent questions about governmental oversight and the efficiency of disaster response in Mayotte.
The recent battering of Mayotte by Tropical Storm Dikeledi further complicates an already desperate recovery situation following Cyclone Chido. With the threat of potential flooding and landslides, emergency measures have been implemented to safeguard the population. The islands continue to face significant challenges in disaster preparedness and recovery, highlighting the importance of both swift governmental response and long-term infrastructure improvements to manage future crises effectively.
Original Source: apnews.com
