Cyclone Chido devastates Mayotte: two dead and massive destruction!

Cyclone Chido devastates Mayotte: two dead and massive destruction!

Two deaths and massive destruction after the devastating Cyclone Chido on Mayotte!

A storm of destruction has struck the French island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean! Cyclone Chido, which hit the island with breathtaking winds of up to 226 km/h (140 mph), is leaving a trail of devastation and sadness in its wake. French officials fear a "heavy" death toll after at least two people lost their lives and devastating damage to buildings and infrastructure.

The situation on the island, which is almost 8,000 km from Paris, is dramatic. Shantytowns were completely destroyed, government buildings and the hospital suffered significant damage. “It will take several days to determine the exact death toll, but we fear it is high,” acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said after a government crisis meeting.

A storm without warning

“Everyone understands that this was a cyclone that was unexpectedly violent,” Prime Minister François Bayrou said. The destruction not only caused material damage, but also jeopardized the supply of vital goods such as water and food. The island of 320,000 has been struggling with social unrest and violence for years, and water shortages have further fueled tensions among the population.

The two confirmed deaths occurred on Petite-Terre, the smaller of the two main islands. According to reports, the number of victims could even rise to four. “Pamandzi airport in Petite-Terre has suffered significant damage,” tweeted acting Transport Minister François Durovray. The situation is tense and the people on the island are very worried about their relatives.

The effects of climate change

Cyclone Chido is not just a local disaster, but another example of the devastating effects of climate change. Meteorologists warn that the exceptional water temperatures in the Indian Ocean have intensified the cyclone. The United Nations has already warned that around 1.7 million people in the region are at risk, while the remnants of the cyclone could also trigger heavy rains and possible flooding in Malawi and neighboring countries.

The international community is concerned about the developments in Mayotte. The junior minister for Francophonie and international partnerships, Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, who is himself from the island, has not heard from his family since the storm. The tragedy in Mayotte is an urgent appeal to the world to take the consequences of climate change seriously and to support the affected regions.