Mayotte: Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century, has left a trail of destruction and a death toll feared to reach hundreds or even thousands.
French emergency teams are racing to restore basic services and deliver aid to the island, which lies between Madagascar and Mozambique.
The storm struck with winds exceeding 200 kph (124 mph), devastating communities and displacing thousands. Scenes of wreckage resemble a “nuclear apocalypse,” with makeshift homes destroyed, trees crashing into buildings, and hospitals flooded.
French authorities have established an air bridge between Mayotte and Reunion Island to transport relief supplies, including military rations, emergency shelters, and generators.
Les forces 🇫🇷 s'engagent avec des moyens terrestres, maritimes et aériens pour faire face aux conséquences du cyclone #CHIDO à Mayotte. 🇾🇹 ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/aLZ9uBpXlz
— Armée française – Opérations militaires (@EtatMajorFR) December 15, 2024
Nicolas Daragon, France’s minister for everyday security, confirmed the government’s full mobilization to support Mayotte, while Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu detailed ongoing operations to accommodate emergency workers and deliver essential aid.
Mayotte, a French overseas territory significantly poorer than mainland France, has long faced social unrest, gang violence, and high immigration from the Comoros archipelago. Colonized by France in 1843, Mayotte opted to remain French in a 1974 referendum while the rest of the Comoros gained independence.
As authorities work to assess the full extent of casualties and damage, the island braces for a long recovery process amid widespread devastation.
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