The cyclone, which has been barreling toward southeastern Africa for the past four days, was the most powerful storm to hit France overseas in 90 years, causing widespread damage in Mayotte.
Cyclone Chido made landfall on Saturday night with winds of more than 200 km/h, damaging homes, government buildings and hospitals and killing at least 11 people, Météo France said.
Mayotte is one of the poorest regions under French rule, with a population of approximately 300,000, located on the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean.
It is feared that “at least several hundred” people have died on the island, as authorities struggle to assess the extent of the damage. Governor François-Xavier Vieuxville told local media outlet Mayotte La 1 Erre: “I think it’s definitely in the hundreds. Probably thousands, even thousands.”
France’s interior ministry said it was “difficult to identify all the victims” and that the death toll could not be determined at this stage.
Aerial footage showed the storm blown off roofs, uprooted trees, damaged public infrastructure and leveled many villages.
“What we are experiencing is a tragedy. It feels like we are in the aftermath of a nuclear war,” said Mohamed Ishmael from the capital Mahmoud. “I saw whole neighborhoods disappear.”
Many homes were destroyed by the storm, and hundreds of poor people living in shacks with sheet metal roofs were especially hard hit.
The storm damaged power lines, causing power outages and disrupting water supplies in most areas of the territory. The airport was also damaged.
“Hospitals have been damaged, schools have been damaged. Houses have been completely destroyed,” said Ambudilwahedu Soumaira, the mayor of Mahmud. The cyclone left “nothing spared”, he added.
French President Emmanuel Macron said a military transport plane carrying supplies and emergency personnel had departed to help those suffering the “most terrifying” ordeal. “My thoughts go out to my fellow Mayotte compatriots who lost everything and lost their lives during the most terrifying few hours,” he said.
The cyclone entered northern Mozambique, 800 kilometers west of Mayotte, on Sunday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous sea conditions. The virus hit the northern province of Cabo Delgado, affecting nearly 2 million people.
The United Nations Children’s Fund said: “Many homes, schools and health facilities have been partially or completely destroyed and we are working closely with governments to ensure the continuity of essential basic services.” Ta. “We are doing everything we can, but additional support is urgently needed.”
Internet monitor Netblox said on X that heavy rain and winds had damaged power and communications infrastructure in the region.
Save the Children has warned that up to 650,000 children and their families are at risk after the Chido hit northern Mozambique.
“Cyclone Chido is a disaster for children in northern Mozambique. They are at risk of losing their homes, being separated from their families and having limited access to water, sanitation, health care and education.”
In the Comoros, the storm destroyed 21 homes and left two people with minor injuries, authorities said.
The remnants of Chido are expected to sweep across southern Malawi with heavy rain and strong winds, Météo-France reports. The system will then move towards Zimbabwe, potentially causing heavy rains and flooding.
