Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte. With wind speeds reaching 225 km/h (140 mph) and described as category-4, the cyclone flattened entire neighborhoods, particularly affecting the poorest areas where people live in fragile tin-roof shacks. Residents described scenes as 'apocalyptic,' with widespread devastation feared to have resulted in hundreds of fatalities.
Located east of the Comoros and northwest of Madagascar, Mayotte consists of two main islands, Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre, and is about twice the size of Washington, D.C. This disaster marks the deadliest cyclone to strike the region in 90 years.
According to BBC News, authorities are struggling to confirm the death toll from Cyclone Chido due to the large number of undocumented migrants, which make up a significant portion of the island's population.
The aftermath of Cyclone Chido on Mayotte
Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on Saturday, with Meteo-France confirming it was the most dangerous cyclone to affect the island since 1934. The French territory was placed under a red alert due to the imminent threat posed by the powerful storm. The devastating impact of the cyclone has left widespread damage across the region.
The Official account of the French General Directorate of Civil Security and Crisis Management, posted about the rescue efforts on their X. The post wrote:
"110 firefighters and rescuers have been mobilized since the day before yesterday at #Mayotte to deal with the cyclone #Chido ."
"Reinforcements will arrive in the hours and days to provide relief and assistance to disaster-stricken residents: up to 800 Civil Security personnel are expected to be deployed in support. They participate in rescue and clearing operations, as well as medical and logistical support."
In a statement to BBC News, Mamoudzou resident, John Balloz said:
"Everything is damaged, nearly everything, the water treatment plant, electric pylons, there's a lot to do."
"There's nothing much people can do, people are keeping still, they haven't moved, they are waiting for help, help for food, for the electricity to be back up, and water also, there's no running water."
A Brief History of Mayotte
Mayotte was first inhabited by Arab traders about 1,000 years ago, who established small sultanates and traded with neighboring regions. France colonized the island in 1843 and annexed the entire archipelago by 1904.
Despite a push for independence in 1974, Mayotte voted to remain French, while other islands declared independence. In December 1974, the Comoros held an independence referendum, with three islands voting for independence, while 63.8% of Mayotte's population chose to remain part of France. After the Comoros declared independence in July 1975, France held a second referendum in February 1976, with 99.4% of Mayotte residents voting to stay French.
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In 2009, 95.2% of Mayotte residents voted to make the island an overseas department. This became official in 2011 when Mayotte became France's fifth overseas department and 101st department. By 2003, Mayotte was integrated into the French constitution, and since 2014, it has been one of the European Union’s outermost regions.
The region relies heavily on French financial support, with high unemployment and poverty levels. Mayotte's economy shifted from sugar to other crops, like vanilla and ylang-ylang, following cyclones and disease in the late 19th century.
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