On Mayotte, Cyclone Chido has already killed eleven people, injured many more, and caused extensive damage; the death toll is likely to climb.
- At least eleven people die when cyclone Chido wreaks havoc on the island of Mayotte.
- Hundreds were wounded and thousands were impacted; the death toll was anticipated to grow.
At least 11 people have died, and extensive damage has been caused by a destructive storm that hit the French island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean.
With 246 casualties and nine in critical condition, the French Interior Ministry warned that the death toll might climb.
Hurricane Chido ripped metal roofs off homes and destroyed tiny buildings with its 220 kph winds. Trees were uprooted, whole communities were leveled, and boats were either overturned or sunk. Much of the island’s infrastructure was destroyed or seriously damaged, including the major airport.
Over the years, Mayotte’s 300,000 residents have weathered droughts and suffered from a lack of investment. The island is now in a critical situation since the typhoon has made these problems worse.
A Paris emergency meeting ended with French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau predicting a “high” death toll.
In two provinces in northern Mozambique, 2.5 million people are now in danger as the hurricane makes landfall.
The landlocked nations of Zimbabwe and Malawi are also making contingency plans to evacuate residents in low-lying regions in the event of floods.
A strong storm has struck the southeast Indian Ocean before. More than 1,500 people lost their lives in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi as a result of Cyclone Idai in 2019.
Emergency workers are attempting to lessen the effect of Chido as the area braces for its arrival.
Mayotte has the full backing of the French government, which has sent rescue and relief personnel to the island. The exact amount of damage and casualties will become apparent as events develop.
