Tropical Cyclone Chido Causes Severe Havoc in Mayotte, Thousands Feared Dead
Tropical Cyclone Chido slammed Mayotte on December 14, 2024, marking the strongest storm in 90 years. The cyclone has claimed at least 21 lives, left over 830 injured, and displaced one-third of the island’s 320,000 residents. With emergency services stretched thin, local officials fear a significant rise in the death toll as the community works to recover from extensive damage, particularly to healthcare facilities.
On December 14, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to impact Mayotte in nearly a century, wreaked havoc on the island, resulting in at least 21 confirmed deaths and over 830 injuries. The cyclone displaced approximately one-third of Mayotte’s population of 320,000, leaving thousands homeless. Initial assessments reveal extensive damage, with local authorities fearing that the toll could rise significantly as recovery efforts proceed. Emergency services are strained as they work to provide aid and assess the full scale of the disaster, with over 100,000 individuals relocated to temporary shelters.
Striking as a category 4-equivalent cyclone, Chido produced winds ranging from 180 to 230 kilometers per hour (112 to 143 miles per hour), causing widespread destruction across the archipelago. Emergency protocols had mandated that residents remain indoors while the cyclone passed, but the aftermath revealed extensive destruction, including downed electricity poles, damaged infrastructure, and uprooted trees. Aerial footage showcased the devastation, with reports indicating that critical services, including health centers, were severely impacted.
Authorities are currently grappling with the reality of a devastated healthcare system, as Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq reported severe water damage in hospitals, affecting surgical and emergency units. Regrettably, many medical facilities are non-operational, further complicating the humanitarian response. Local officials are bracing for a potential surge in the death toll, with Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville predicting that fatalities could reach several hundred, possibly thousands. Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, confirmed that significant portions of the population are now homeless, as recovery efforts commence amid an already strained emergency response.
As assessments continue, immediate support has begun flowing to the region, with military personnel and medical supplies dispatched to aid in recovery operations. Health officials are emphasizing the urgent need for assistance as the situation develops. The severity of the cyclone’s impact on Mayotte has generated a critical need for international support to rebuild and restore vital services.
Tropical Cyclone Chido represents one of the most catastrophic weather events to affect Mayotte, a French territory located in the Indian Ocean. With wind speeds comparable to a category 4 hurricane, this cyclone has severely impacted the island, resulting in a humanitarian crisis characterized by widespread casualties, substantial infrastructural damage, and significant disruption to essential services. The disaster has exposed vulnerabilities in local emergency response capabilities and initiated urgent calls for assistance from governmental and international bodies.
In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted unprecedented damage on Mayotte, with an immediate humanitarian crisis unfolding. Amidst the destruction, local authorities are wrestling with the grim reality of rising casualty figures and a collapsing healthcare system. With emergency measures currently in effect, it is crucial for both national and international communities to come together to provide the necessary support to assist in recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of this tragic event.
Original Source: watchers.news
