Cyclone Chido.Photo: The Guardian.
Powerful cyclone Chido hits Mayotte
Rescue operations continue on the French island of Mayotte, located in the Indian Ocean, after Cyclone Chido hit the territory last Saturday. According to the Time Ukraine Israel portal, citing Israelinfo, the disaster claimed the lives of at least 22 people, but official sources believe that the actual number of victims could be much higher – several hundred or even thousands.
Devastating consequences for Mayotte and neighbouring countries
Cyclone Chido, the most powerful cyclone in the last ninety years, brought strong winds of up to 200 km/h to Mayotte, causing widespread damage to infrastructure. Entire areas of the island, which is home to about 300,000 people, were reduced to rubble. The storm also seriously affected neighbouring countries Mozambique and Malawi, where dozens of people died and thousands were injured.
Large-scale destruction and humanitarian crisis
Rescue operations have been ongoing in Mayotte for several days. At the same time, more than 70% of the local population has been affected by the disaster, and large areas remain without access to electricity, water and communications. The situation is further complicated by a shortage of fuel and food, which, unfortunately, could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe, including famine and outbreaks of dangerous diseases.
Curfews and the fight against looting
Mayotte authorities were forced to impose a curfew from 10pm to 4am to combat looting, which has become widespread in the post-apocalyptic environment. French Interior Minister Bruno Retaillot announced the deployment of an additional group of 400 gendarmes to assist the 1,600 law enforcement officers who had already arrived.
Missing volunteers and the destruction of the capital
According to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, more than 200 of their volunteers who worked at the site of the tragedy are missing. In the island’s capital, Mamuzu, entire districts have been reduced to rubble, and thousands of people are homeless.
Humanitarian aid and Macron’s visit
“Our current priorities are water and food. In many areas, the bodies of the dead remain unburied, which poses a serious sanitary threat,” said the mayor of the affected town of Ambdilvaedu Sumaila. France is urgently using military aircraft and ships to deliver humanitarian aid: water, food and medicine. President Emmanuel Macron has declared a national day of mourning and promised to personally visit Mayotte in the coming days. “Our compatriots are experiencing the greatest tragedy. The state will do everything possible to help them recover and overcome the consequences of this disaster,” Macron said.
Mayotte: challenges of the socio-economic situation
Mayotte, one of the poorest territories in France, has long suffered from overcrowding and chaotic development. This makes the island extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, and also exacerbates the problems of illegal migrants, many of whom, fearing deportation, have remained in slums and have not dared to seek shelter.
