By Francesca Merlo

Cyclone Chido has brought on catastrophic destruction in Mayotte, with officers warning the dying toll might attain “a number of hundred” or hundreds. The cyclone, with winds exceeding 220 km/h, struck the French Indian Ocean territory final Saturday, making it the worst storm to hit Mayotte because the Thirties.

Assist from mainland France

Mayotte’s inside minister has warned that “It is going to take days and days to ascertain the human toll”. French authorities have deployed over 1,600 cops and gendarmes to help survivors. Moreover, 250 rescuers and emergency personnel are being despatched from mainland France and close by Réunion.

Mayotte, with a inhabitants of 300,000, is the European Union’s poorest territory. A 3rd of its individuals dwell in makeshift slums, lots of which at the moment are destroyed. Residents described total districts flattened, uprooted bushes, and overturned boats. Key infrastructure, together with the principle airport, hospital, and electrical energy and water provides, has suffered extreme injury. Aid efforts stay difficult as solely navy plane can presently land.

Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville famous that undocumented migrants and Mayotte’s custom of burying the useless inside 24 hours complicate casualty counts.

Pope Francis, visiting Corsica on Sunday, prayed for the victims and urged worldwide assist. “I’m spiritually near those that have been affected by this tragedy,” he mentioned.

Chido’s destruction

The cyclone additionally struck the Comoros Islands and Madagascar earlier than shifting in direction of Mozambique, inflicting extreme injury in Cabo Delgado province. UNICEF reported widespread destruction, leaving two million individuals in pressing want of support.

Although weakening, Cyclone Chido continues to pose a risk, with Malawi and Zimbabwe bracing for flooding and potential evacuations.

Mayotte stays in determined want of help as rescuers work to assist survivors and assess the complete scale of the catastrophe.