Mayotte: A French territory in the Indian Ocean, Mayotte, has declared a state of exceptional natural disaster after Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc on the islands.
The cyclone, which struck the island on 14th of December, has claimed at least 31 lives, with thousands more reported missing. This is the first time such a declaration has been made in France. The move comes as President Emmanuel Macron was due to arrive in Mayotte.
The declaration, which activates emergency measures designed for France’s overseas territories, allows authorities to bypass administrative barriers to address the crisis swiftly. The emergency has been set for one month but can be extended if necessary.
François-Noël Buffet, France’s Minister for Overseas Territories, stated that, “Faced with this exceptional situation, exceptional resources must be deployed to quickly restore vital services and implement a sustainable reconstruction plan for Mayotte.”
Décollage pour Mayotte avec quatre tonnes de fret alimentaire et sanitaire ainsi que des forces qui viennent prêter main forte à leurs camarades déjà engagés auprès des Mahorais. pic.twitter.com/Bz8KMP1SXN
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 18, 2024
As emergency services race to find the missing and clear debris, food, water, and medical aid are being distributed. There are concerns about the spread of infectious diseases due to shortages of clean drinking water and the rationing of supplies. The restoration of damaged water plants is a priority for the authorities.
Half of Mayotte remains without power, and a curfew has been imposed, requiring residents to stay indoors for six hours overnight to prevent looting.
The territory, one of the poorest parts of France, has a large population living in shanty towns, including around 100,000 migrants seeking asylum in France, many of whom were among the hardest hit by the storm.
Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit Mayotte in 90 years, brought wind speeds of over 225 km/h (140 mph), flattening areas where people lived in makeshift homes with sheet metal roofs.
After devastating Mayotte, the storm moved on to Africa, killing at least 45 people in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi.
ALSO READ | Experts warn of Health Crisis as Delhi’s Air Pollution spikes
