Cyclone Chido devastates Mayotte: two dead and massive destruction!

Cyclone Chido devastates Mayotte: two dead and massive destruction!

Two fatalities and massive destruction after the devastating cyclone Chido on Mayotte!

A storm of destruction has hit the French island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean! The Chido cyclone, which swept across the island with breathtaking wind speeds of up to 226 km/h (140 mph), leaves a trace of devastation and grief. French officials fear a "severe" balance of fatalities after at least two people have lost their lives and the damage to buildings and infrastructure are devastating.

The situation on the island, which is almost 8,000 km from Paris, is dramatic. Shanytowns were completely destroyed, government buildings and the hospital suffered considerable damage. "It will take several days to determine the exact number of fatalities, but we are afraid that it is high," said the incumbent Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau after a crisis meeting of the government.

a storm without warning

"Everyone understands that this was a cyclone that was unexpectedly violent," said Prime Minister François Bayrou. The destruction not only caused material damage, but also ended up in danger of supplying vital goods such as water and food. The island with 320,000 inhabitants has been struggling with social unrest and violence for years, and the shortage of water has further fueled the tensions in the population.

The two confirmed deaths occurred on Petite-Terrre, the smaller of the two main islands. According to reports, the number of victims could even increase to four. "Pamandzi Airport on Petite-Terre has suffered significant damage," tweeted the incumbent Minister of Transport François Durovray. The location is tense and the people on the island are very concerned about their relatives.

The effects of climate change

The CHIDO cyclone is not just a local misfortune, but another example of the devastating effects of climate change. Meteorologists warn that the extraordinary water temperatures in the Indian Ocean have strengthened the cyclone. The United Nations have already warned that around 1.7 million people in the region are at risk, while the remains of the cyclone could also trigger heavy rains and possible floods in Malawi and the neighboring countries.

The International community looks worries about developments in Mayotte. The Junior Minister of Francophony and International Partnerships, Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, who himself comes from the island, has not heard of his family since the storm. The tragedy on Mayotte is an urgent appeal to the world to take the consequences of climate change seriously and to support the affected regions.