Nine people are confirmed dead, and over 250 others seriously injured following the passage of Cyclone Chido through Mayotte, a French archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
The precise number of casualties remains elusive, hampered by the rapid burial practices of the predominantly Muslim population.
“For the toll, it’s going to be complicated, because Mayotte is a Muslim land where the dead are buried within 24 hours,” explained a French Ministry of Interior official.
This logistical challenge, coupled with the widespread damage, makes accurate assessment difficult. Mamoudzou’s mayor, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, reported nine people were critically injured and fighting for their lives, alongside a further 246 with serious injuries.
Mayotte’s 320,000 residents were placed under lockdown as Cyclone Chido approached, its 220 kph winds tearing through the islands. Jean-François Colombet, the prefect of Mayotte, confirmed the storm’s unprecedented severity, calling it the worst in nine decades. The impact was catastrophic; entire neighbourhoods were flattened, trees uprooted, boats capsized, and many small structures destroyed. The main airport in Petite-Terre, Pamandzi, suffered significant damage, according to Acting Transport Minister Francois Durovray, who announced the airport’s “major damage” via X (formerly Twitter).
The cyclone’s ferocity was not unexpected, according to experts. Meteorologist Francois Gourand of Meteo France highlighted the role of exceptionally warm Indian Ocean waters in supercharging the storm, comparing its intensity to devastating cyclones Gombe (2022) and Freddy (2023) that impacted Mozambique. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned of the potential danger to 1.7 million people across the region.
The aftermath reveals a landscape of devastation. Acting Environment Minister Agnes-Pannier Runacher reported that over 15,000 homes were left without electricity. Newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou described the severe damage or destruction of public infrastructure, highlighting the perilous situation faced by those living in precarious shacks in slum areas. President Emmanuel Macron is closely monitoring the situation, and Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims during his visit to Corsica.
Mayotte, located nearly 8,000km from Paris, faces significant challenges beyond this latest disaster. Already one of France’s poorest islands, it has long struggled with under-investment, drought, gang violence, and social unrest. Tensions escalated earlier this year due to water shortages and citizenship disputes. The cyclone’s impact further exacerbates these pre-existing vulnerabilities.
Rescue efforts are underway, with supplies and personnel being transported by air and sea. However, the damage to infrastructure, particularly the airport and electricity grid, is hindering these vital operations. The French Interior Ministry announced that 160 soldiers and firefighters would join the 110 already deployed to the islands, with Acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau planning a visit on Monday.
UNICEF is also on the ground, working to ensure the continuity of essential services amidst the widespread destruction. They reported that “Many homes, schools and health facilities have been partially or completely destroyed and we are working closely with government to ensure continuity of essential basic services.”
The storm’s impact extends beyond Mayotte. Cyclone Chido is expected to make landfall in Mozambique, with emergency officials warning of potential impact on 2.5 million people in the northern provinces. Malawi and Zimbabwe are also preparing for the storm’s remnants, anticipating potential flooding and evacuations from low-lying areas. UNICEF Mozambique spokesman Guy Taylor warned of the potential for weeks-long disruption to schools and health facilities.
