Hundreds are feared dead in Mayotte after Cyclone Chido struck the island on Saturday, 14 December. Winds exceeding 200 kph flattened neighborhoods, severing power and communications in the French overseas territory.
The official death toll stands at 22, with over 1,400 people injured, according to Mayotte Hospital. Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, mayor of Mamoudzou, fears the number of undocumented migrants could mean hundreds, even thousands, are dead.
Authorities are scrambling to stop hunger, disease, and lawlessness from spreading. “The images are apocalyptic. It’s a disaster, there’s nothing left,” a nurse at Mamoudzou Hospital told French broadcaster BFM TV.
Climate Change Intensifies Cyclone Chido
French weather agency Meteo France declared Chido the deadliest storm to hit Mayotte in over 90 years. A rapid analysis by Imperial College London found human-caused climate change intensified Cyclone Chido’s winds, raising it from Category 3 to Category 4.
“Climate change made Chido more destructive,” said Dr. Nathan Sparks, a researcher at Imperial College London. Scientists estimate climate change increased Chido’s wind speeds by 11 kph and made such storms 40% more likely compared to pre-industrial times.
High sea temperatures, fueled by climate change, made Chido’s rapid intensification over 50 times more probable. Dr. Friederike Otto of World Weather Attribution said, “Victims of poverty have become victims of climate change in Mayotte.” She added that Africa, though contributing the least emissions, endures the worst weather extremes.
French Leadership Criticized for Cyclone Response
President Emmanuel Macron pledged to visit Mayotte soon as the disaster exacerbates France’s ongoing political crisis. Critics slammed Prime Minister François Bayrou for attending a crisis meeting via video rather than in person. Bayrou defended his absence, citing efforts to form a new government.
Acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau praised the warning system, saying it worked “perfectly.” However, many undocumented migrants avoided shelters, reportedly fearing arrest. Left-wing politicians blamed French neglect for Mayotte’s unpreparedness against climate-driven disasters.
Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure criticized Retailleau’s handling, highlighting the lack of long-term support for Mayotte in a post on X.
