At Least Fourteen Fatalities Reported in French Island Following Hurricane with 136 mph Winds

Cyclone Chido, a powerful Category 4 storm, wreaked havoc on the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean in December 2024, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least fourteen lives. The cyclone, packing winds exceeding 220 kph (136 mph), directly impacted Mayotte, marking the worst storm the island had experienced in nearly a century. The devastation was widespread, with significant damage to infrastructure, including the main hospital and airport. Many homes, particularly those in vulnerable slum areas constructed with corrugated iron sheets, were torn apart by the ferocious winds. The official death toll remained uncertain, with fears of it rising further given the extent of the damage and the number of individuals reported as critically injured.

The impact of Cyclone Chido extended beyond loss of life and property damage. The storm severely disrupted essential services, leaving communities grappling with limited access to healthcare and other necessities. The precarious living conditions in Mayotte, being France’s poorest region and the European Union’s least developed territory, exacerbated the vulnerability of its approximately 300,000 residents. The destruction of homes left many displaced, adding to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the aftermath of the cyclone. The precariousness of the situation was further underscored by the damage to key infrastructure, hindering relief efforts and access to medical care for the injured.

The French government responded swiftly to the disaster, deploying a significant contingent of police and gendarmerie officers to maintain order and prevent looting amidst the chaos. Over a hundred rescuers and firefighters were dispatched from mainland France and the nearby island of Reunion, bolstering the local emergency response capabilities. Additional reinforcements, along with military aircraft and ships carrying essential supplies, were mobilized to aid the affected population. The scale of the deployment highlighted the severity of the situation and the French government’s commitment to supporting its overseas territory.

Beyond the immediate response, French authorities also recognized the long-term challenges posed by the cyclone’s impact. The destruction of homes and infrastructure necessitated extensive rebuilding efforts, demanding significant resources and logistical coordination. The vulnerability of Mayotte’s population, particularly those living in informal settlements, required a comprehensive approach to address their housing needs and ensure their resilience to future disasters. The cyclone exposed the pre-existing socio-economic challenges faced by the island, prompting a reassessment of development strategies to strengthen the territory’s resilience and reduce its vulnerability to natural hazards.

After devastating Mayotte, Cyclone Chido continued its eastward trajectory, making landfall in Mozambique, raising concerns about further casualties and destruction. Aid agencies warned of the potential impact on millions of people in the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula, areas already grappling with humanitarian challenges. The cyclone threatened to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, disrupting access to essential services such as healthcare and education. The potential for widespread flooding also posed a significant threat to life and livelihoods, prompting evacuation plans in low-lying areas.

The arrival of Cyclone Chido in Mozambique underscored the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events, particularly during the cyclone season from December to March. The storm highlighted the need for robust disaster preparedness measures and effective early warning systems to mitigate the impact of such events. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Cabo Delgado, compounded by the cyclone’s impact, underscored the need for sustained international support to address the immediate needs of affected communities and build long-term resilience. The scale of the devastation served as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, demanding greater global cooperation to address climate change and its consequences.