Cyclone Chido has brought catastrophic devastation to the French overseas territory of Mayotte and Mozambique, with death tolls rising in both countries.
French authorities are struggling to cope with the aftermath of the cyclone, which laid waste to large parts of Mayotte’s Indian Ocean archipelago. Food, water, and medical supplies are being distributed to affected areas, but many parts remain inaccessible due to debris and damaged infrastructure.
Mozambique has reported at least 34 deaths from the storm, while Malawi has lost seven people. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimates that tens of thousands of people may have died in Mayotte, with about a third of the island’s population still unaccounted for due to communication disruptions.
The situation is made worse by the fact that Mayotte’s population is estimated to be over 300,000, but its size is unknown due to undocumented immigration. The French government has imposed a curfew on the island to maintain order and prevent lawlessness.
French President Emmanuel Macron plans to visit Mayotte on Thursday to assess the damage. Doctors are bracing for a surge in disease, particularly cholera, which could be triggered by the lack of access to clean water and medical services.
The cyclone has highlighted issues related to immigration and government neglect, with opposition politicians in France criticizing the government’s handling of natural disasters linked to climate change.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/mayotte-authorities-fear-hunger-disease-race-help-cyclone-survivors-2024-12-17