Mayotte, 16 December 2024: Cyclone Chido may have claimed hundreds, possibly thousands, of lives in the French Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte, according to local officials. François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, warned of the potential scale of devastation during an interview with local broadcaster Mayotte La 1ère on Sunday.
“I think there will certainly be several hundreds, maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands,” Bieuville stated, reflecting on the unprecedented destruction caused by the cyclone.
The French interior ministry, when asked about the death toll, said, “It will be difficult to account for all victims,” adding that it is too early to determine an exact figure.
Cyclone Chido, which swept through Mayotte overnight, brought winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour, according to Météo-France. The storm, described as the strongest in over 90 years to hit the islands, destroyed homes, government offices, and even a hospital.
Aerial footage from French gendarmerie forces revealed widespread destruction, with hundreds of makeshift homes reduced to debris across the hills of Mayotte’s islands.
Mayotte, a key destination for undocumented migrants from neighboring Comoros, faces challenges in accurately assessing the toll. French officials cited difficulties due to cultural practices, noting that on the predominantly Muslim island, the deceased are buried within 24 hours.
The interior ministry also highlighted that over 100,000 undocumented migrants live in Mayotte, further complicating relief and recovery efforts.
Humanitarian concerns intensified as the cyclone raised fears about food, water, and sanitation access. “For the toll, it’s going to be complicated,” a French interior ministry official acknowledged.
The storm struck a region already grappling with deep poverty and social unrest. Mayotte, located nearly 8,000 kilometers from Paris, has endured decades of gang violence and economic disparity.
Official data shows that 77 percent of its population lives below the French poverty line. Earlier this year, the island faced heightened tensions over a severe water shortage.
After battering Mayotte, Cyclone Chido moved on to northern Mozambique, where heavy rains and high winds damaged power and telecommunications infrastructure, according to internet monitor NetBlocks.
While the extent of the damage in Mozambique remains unclear, the storm’s path of destruction underscores the urgent need for coordinated disaster relief across affected regions.
