Nearly a thousand individuals may have lost their lives as Cyclone Chido struck the French island of Mayotte on Saturday, as per statements from the island’s leading authority.
This storm was reported to be the most powerful to affect the islands in over 90 years, according to the weather service Meteo-France.
The adjacent islands of Comoros and Madagascar also faced repercussions.
Map of Mayotte and Comoros
Mayotte, situated approximately 500 miles off the eastern coast of Africa, is home to just over 300,000 residents across two primary islands.
In June 1843, Mayotte was officially designated as a French colony and remains the most impoverished region of France.
The islands have faced persistent issues with drought, lack of investment, and gang-related violence for many years, and they are now confronting a crisis in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido.
Damage inflicted by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. Pic: AP
“Numerous homes, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities have been partially or entirely devastated, and we are collaborating closely with [the] government to guarantee the continuation of essential services,” stated the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“While we are doing all we can, there is a critical need for further assistance.”
France‘s interior ministry announced the deployment of 1,600 police and gendarmerie personnel, along with rescuers and firefighters from Mayotte and the adjoining territory of Reunion. Supplies are also being expedited via military aircraft and ships.
Mayotte Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville conveyed to a local TV channel la 1ere: “I believe the death toll could reach several hundred, possibly close to a thousand, or even thousands… when considering the severity of this occurrence.”
He mentioned that it is presently “extremely challenging” to ascertain an accurate count.
Officials had confirmed at least 11 fatalities in Mayotte earlier on Sunday, but anticipated the figure to rise.
What causes cyclones to develop?
Cyclones play a vital role in Earth’s meteorological systems as they facilitate the transfer of heat and energy between the polar regions and the equator.
A compromised residence in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. Pic: AP
Cyclones occur when elevated sea temperatures heat the air above the ocean near the equator, causing the formation of thunderstorms.
If these clouds coalesce, they can create a vertical vortex that, under specific conditions, begins to rotate.
The cyclone accelerates and absorbs energy from the ocean.
It is only upon making landfall that the cyclone begins to decelerate and ultimately dissipate – nevertheless, its trajectory across land can be catastrophic.
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The cyclone season in the southeastern Indian Ocean extends from December to March, with southern Africa having endured a series of formidable storms in recent years.
Cyclone Idai in 2019 resulted in over 1,300 fatalities across Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, while Cyclone Freddy claimed more than 1,000 lives across multiple nations last year.
Climate change is anticipated to amplify the severity of cyclones, although it may not necessarily increase their frequency.
The IPCC, or Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, has cautioned that it is “very likely” cyclones will experience increased rainfall rates and attain higher peak wind speeds.
These events can leave impoverished nations in southern Africa, which contribute minimally to global warming, grappling with humanitarian emergencies – emphasizing their urgent appeal for assistance from wealthy countries to address the ramifications of climate change.
