Devastating cyclone Chido: Mayotte fights for survival!

Devastating cyclone Chido: Mayotte fights for survival!

Mayotte, Frankreich - After the devastating cyclone "Chido" in the Indian Ocean, the French overseas area MaynT fears an alarming high extent of deaths. The local prefect François-Xavier Bieuville commented and estimated that the number of victims may go into the hundreds, while local media speak of several thousand dead. At the moment 14 official deaths are documented, but the real number could be far higher due to Islamic burial traditions, which provide a quick funeral within 24 hours, as Volksblatt reported.

devastating devastation

"Chido", which has been assessed as the worst cyclone for 90 years, has caused massive damage. The local administration reported that most of the destroyed dwellings consist of sheet metal huts and that several thousands of households are now without electricity. Streets are not only blocked in the island capital Mamoudzou, the main hospital and schools are also affected. President Emmanuel Macron said: "I would like to think of our fellow citizens on Mayotte who have experienced the worst in the past few hours." The storm gusts reached speeds of over 220 km/h, while the people on site have to complain about serious damage to property-many also report about uprooted trees and capsized boats, as can be read at Tagesschau

The cyclone has now also reached Mozambique, where it caused a sensation in the province of Cabo Delgado. According to reports, numerous houses, schools and health facilities were completely destroyed. The local authorities fight with the consequences of the power failure and the dangers of landslides, while the rescue work is severely restricted due to the damage. An air and pure bridge from Réunion to Mayotte is already being planned to transport urgently needed relief supplies and to restore the power supply and access to drinking water.