The French overseas region of Mayotte is grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to strike the Indian Ocean islands in over 90 years. Early reports suggest the cyclone has caused widespread devastation, with local officials fearing hundreds, potentially thousands, of fatalities.
Cyclone Chido made landfall on Saturday, unleashing winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and torrential rain that flattened entire neighborhoods. Particularly hard-hit were the island's informal settlements, where fragile structures were unable to withstand the onslaught.
John Balloz, a resident of Mayotte's capital, Mamoudzou, described the cyclone's impact as catastrophic. "It smashed right into us here, and to be honest, it was a complete disaster. Lots of houses and even towns are wiped out, especially the slums," he said.
Video footage from the capital shows streets littered with debris from destroyed homes, uprooted trees and twisted metal. Aerial views shared by the French army reveal widespread destruction.
The aftermath of the cyclone hitting Mayotte. /Daniel Mouhamadi/AFP
Situated between Madagascar and the east coast of Africa, Mayotte is France's poorest overseas region. It is home to 320,000 people, densely packed at more than 850 inhabitants per square kilometer, and more than three-quarters live below the French poverty line.
The cyclone has left many survivors in urgent need of food, water and sanitation. Many areas have been inaccessible, hampering rescue efforts. Roads blocked by debris and widespread power outages are complicating relief operations. Key infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and government facilities, have sustained significant damage, adding to the challenges.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is in Mayotte to coordinate the response, while Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has pledged support from the French government and the European Commission.
"All my thoughts this morning are with our compatriots in Mayotte who are suffering the tragic consequences of the disaster. The government and State services are fully mobilized to provide support, reinforcement, and security," said Barrot.
Local authorities have described the situation as dire, with survivors awaiting urgent assistance for basic necessities such as food, electricity, and running water. "People are keeping still; they haven't moved. They are waiting for help," said Balloz.
As rescue teams continue their work, the full extent of the casualties and destruction remains unclear. Recovery efforts are expected to take weeks, if not months, as Mayotte begins to rebuild from this unprecedented disaster.