Mayotte, France’s poorest territory, is reeling from Tropical Storm Dikeledi, which hit just weeks after Cyclone Chido caused widespread devastation, resulting in deaths, missing persons, and injuries. Authorities have ordered residents to stay indoors and prepared emergency shelters as they remain on high alert for flooding and landslides. With a history of severe weather events, the region faces ongoing challenges regarding disaster response and aid support.
The French territory of Mayotte has been struck by a tropical storm just weeks after enduring the worst cyclone in nearly a century. Tropical Storm Dikeledi arrived on Sunday, compelling residents to seek shelter and prepare for heavy rains and strong winds, exacerbating the recovery efforts already underway following Cyclone Chido’s devastation last month. Cyclone Chido caused substantial destruction, resulting in at least 39 fatalities, more than 200 persons missing, and over 5,000 injuries on December 14.
Dikeledi, which weakened from a cyclone to a tropical storm while passing by Madagascar, is expected to pose a further threat as it brings the potential for flooding and landslides to the islands. Meteorological warnings indicate Dikeledi could regain strength. The Mayotte Prefecture has maintained a red alert status and advised residents to remain indoors to ensure their safety.
As the winds from Dikeledi continue, cyclone shelters have reopened, and the region’s already strained resources face another test. Emergency personnel mobilization has exceeded 4,000 individuals in preparation for the storm’s impact, particularly around the capital Mamoudzou, where many livelihoods have been severely affected by Chido’s aftermath. Reports from local media indicate that the village of Mbouini, previously spared from Chido, has seen catastrophic flooding from Dikeledi, with residents forced to evacuate in boats.
Mayotte’s population includes approximately 320,000 residents, alongside an estimated 100,000 undocumented migrants, many of whom have expressed frustrations regarding government support. Cyclone Chido was noted as a historic disaster for the region, with officials warning that the final death toll could be significantly higher than initially reported due to the complexities surrounding undocumented fatalities.
In past years, the Indian Ocean has been plagued by numerous severe cyclones, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of these territories to climate-induced disasters. Meteorologists forecast that Dikeledi will continue its path toward Madagascar and the open sea, following its brief impact on Mayotte.
Mayotte, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is an overseas department of France and is regarded as the poorest region within the European Union. The islands are susceptible to weather-related catastrophes due to their geographic position. Cyclone season, occurring from November to April yearly, has seen numerous intense storms affecting Mayotte and surrounding regions, particularly in recent years. The most recent cyclone, Chido, left a significant mark on the territory, highlighting the challenges posed by both natural disasters and governance issues surrounding aid and infrastructure. The repeated natural disasters have spurred calls from residents for improved governmental support and faster recovery efforts, particularly as many residents are undocumented migrants with limited access to resources. Reports indicate increasing tensions between local residents and government officials, particularly concerning perceptions of neglect and insufficient emergency responses during such crises.
In conclusion, Mayotte faces significant challenges as it grapples with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, closely followed by Tropical Storm Dikeledi. The situation underscores both the immediate dangers posed by severe weather phenomena and the broader systemic issues affecting this territory, particularly in terms of emergency preparedness and government responses to disasters. The people of Mayotte continue to demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, yet the frequency and intensity of storms present an ongoing risk to their safety and wellbeing.
Original Source: www.the-journal.com
