Devastation in Mayotte Following Cyclone Chido: A Humanitarian Crisis Looms
Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14, causing widespread devastation and fatalities. Tin huts were particularly affected, with entire neighborhoods destroyed and many residents left without shelter. Local authorities anticipate a higher toll as assessments continue amid ongoing adverse weather conditions.
Cyclone Chido has severely impacted the archipelago of Mayotte, striking the northern region of Grande-Terre Island on the morning of Saturday, December 14. As reported by Mayor Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, two fatalities occurred in the shantytown of Kawéni when residents were crushed by collapsing furniture within their tin huts. Local authorities are bracing for a potentially higher human toll as the cyclone has caused widespread devastation.
Mayotte’s Prefect, François-Xavier Bieuville, highlighted in a press release that numerous residents have lost everything, emphasizing the destruction of entire neighborhoods. The region remains under a red alert due to ongoing heavy rainfall and strong winds, hindering the assessment of injuries and fatalities. Mayor Soumaila described the destruction of local shantytowns, stating that they were “swept away like crumbs.”
Notably, Mayotte is France’s poorest department, where approximately one-third of housing comprises tin huts. Wind gusts surpassing 220 km/h have not only dismantled these temporary structures but have also caused severe damage to more resilient concrete homes, including the loss of rooftops and shattered windows. The cyclone’s fury has uprooted countless trees, further obstructing vital roadways and emergency access.
The archipelago of Mayotte, located in the Indian Ocean, is an overseas department of France, characterized by a high rate of poverty and informal housing such as tin huts. Infrastructure in these areas is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, making them prone to significant destruction in the event of severe weather. Cyclone Chido is one such devastating storm, manifesting the challenges faced by regions like Mayotte in disaster response and emergency management. This recent cyclone has driven home the necessity for improved housing stability and disaster preparedness in the face of such natural calamities.
In summary, Cyclone Chido has inflicted substantial damage on Mayotte, leading to the destruction of neighborhoods and loss of life. As local authorities scramble to assess the full extent of the disaster and provide aid, the event underscores the pressing need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions. The continuous monitoring of weather conditions and humanitarian response will be critical in the aftermath of this catastrophic event.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr