Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte, Death Toll Expected to Rise

Local authorities in Mayotte have reported that the likely death toll from Cyclone Chido could reach “several hundred,” with some estimates suggesting it may approach a thousand, Arab News reported yesterday.

The cyclone struck the islands with gusts exceeding 226 km/h, causing widespread destruction, including damage to hospitals and schools.

Many residents are without electricity and clean drinking water, complicating rescue efforts. Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville noted that the rapid burial customs of the Muslim population may hinder accurate death counts.

Emergency response teams, including 160 soldiers and firefighters, are being deployed, with medical supplies arriving from La Reunion. Pope Francis has called for prayers for the affected residents.

Chido has since moved on to Mozambique, causing additional damage. The United Nations has warned that around 1.7 million people remain at risk, with potential flash floods expected in neighboring Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia due to the cyclone’s remnants.

Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France, located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 5,000 miles from Paris.