French Island Mayotte Has Been Completely Devastated After It Was Hit By The Worst Cyclone In 90 Years

The worst storm in nearly a century, Cyclone Chido, hit Mayotte, a French overseas territory, killing at least 22 people and injuring more than 1,400 others.

Chido was so strong that it was equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane at the time of landfall in Mayotte, making it the second strongest type of storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, a classification system used to categorize tropical cyclones.

The cyclone made landfall on Dec. 14, with wind speeds exceeding 220 km/h, resulting in catastrophic damage to infrastructure and housing, particularly in densely populated areas where many residents live in makeshift metal shacks.

Reports said the aftermath of the cyclone looked apocalyptic. 

Entire neighborhoods have been flattened to the ground, with widespread destruction to public facilities, including hospitals and schools.

Access to many areas remains difficult due to debris blocking roads. 

Approximately two-thirds of the island is reportedly inaccessible, complicating rescue and relief efforts, which is leading to concerns about potential health crises, including outbreaks of diseases and famine.

The French Ministry of the Interior has indicated that determining the final death toll may take time as many areas remain inaccessible.

Authorities have implemented a curfew from 10 pm to 4 am local time, starting from Tuesday, Dec. 17, to facilitate aid deliveries and rescue efforts.

France has dispatched rescue workers and medical personnel from the mainland and the nearby French territory of Réunion to assist in search and rescue operations, according to RFI.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on X that he is committed to sending reinforcements and is monitoring the situation closely. 

He said he is planning to visit Mayotte soon and declared a period of national mourning.

The cyclone has also hit other countries including Madagascar, the Comoros Islands and Mozambique, where it killed at least 34 people and injured 319 others, according to the UN.

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