Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte, Thousands Affected

Image: Symbolic picture

Cyclone Chido, one of the most powerful storms to hit Mayotte in the past 100 years, has caused massive destruction, with wind speeds reaching 225 km/h. According to CNN, entire settlements have been wiped out, and it is feared that at least 1,000 people may have lost their lives, though official confirmation is still pending. The devastation has been so severe that survivors are comparing its impact to a nuclear bomb.

Mayotte, a small island in the Indian Ocean, lies west of Madagascar and is controlled by France, despite being 7,837 km away from the European country. French rescue teams and emergency workers are tirelessly searching for survivors amid the rubble.

The French Meteorological Department classified Chido as a Level-4 cyclone. The storm first caused destruction in Madagascar before hitting Mayotte the hardest. After passing through, Chido moved toward Mozambique, where it has since weakened.

Officials in Mayotte reported severe damage to critical infrastructure. Power systems have collapsed, roads have been destroyed, and access to essential services has been disrupted, leaving residents in dire conditions.

With a population of 320,000, thousands of residents in Mayotte are now struggling for food, water, and shelter. Many have gone without clean drinking water for three days, and starvation-like conditions are emerging. The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen as rescue operations persist.