Tropical Cyclone Chido has struck Mayotte, causing at least 11 fatalities and injuring hundreds. The cyclone severed power to over 15,000 homes and is noted as the worst storm in 90 years. The French government is deploying aid to assist recovery efforts as the cyclone continues towards Mozambique.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has devastated the French archipelago of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, resulting in a confirmed death toll of at least 11 individuals and leaving hundreds injured. This cyclone is reported to be the most severe to hit Mayotte in the past 90 years, causing extensive damage including the destruction of over 15,000 homes, widespread power outages, and uprooting numerous trees. Local authorities are currently struggling to ascertain the full extent of casualties, and there are rising concerns that this toll may increase as rescue operations continue.
In response to the cyclone, French officials have mobilized an emergency response team, including 160 soldiers and firefighters, to aid in recovery efforts. The local population of approximately 320,000 was placed in lockdown prior to the cyclone’s arrival, but the overwhelming force of the storm, with winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour, caused considerable destruction across the islands. Reports indicate that entire neighborhoods have been flattened, and significant damage has been inflicted upon critical infrastructure, including the main airport.
As Cyclone Chido has now moved on and made landfall in Mozambique, emergency measures are being considered in neighboring African countries such as Malawi and Zimbabwe, with potential evacuations planned due to anticipated flooding. This event underscores the increasing frequency of severe cyclones in the southeastern Indian Ocean region, raising concerns over future disaster preparedness and response efforts.
The occurrence of Tropical Cyclone Chido has prompted significant humanitarian concerns within the Mayotte archipelago. Situated between Africa and Madagascar, Mayotte is one of France’s overseas territories, characterized by socio-economic challenges, making recovery from such disasters particularly complex. Historically, the region experiences cyclones, yet Chido has been noted as the worst storm to strike in nearly a century. This incident aligns with a troubling pattern of intensified cyclonic activity in the Indian Ocean, especially impactful given Mayotte’s limited resources and infrastructure.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted substantial damage on Mayotte, with an alarming number of casualties and injuries reported. The French government, alongside rescue operations on the ground, is moving swiftly to address the immediate needs of the impacted populations. As the storm now poses a threat to the African mainland, it highlights the ongoing challenge of cyclone preparedness in vulnerable regions, necessitating enhanced disaster response strategies.
Original Source: www.abc.net.au
