The French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte has been hit by the worst hurricane to hit the islands in nearly a century.
At least 11 people are reported to have died when Cyclone Chido made landfall on Saturday, packing winds of over 225km/h (140mph), with fears that the death toll could rise.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France would “be there” for the people of Mayotte, and French officials said 250 firefighters and security forces would be sent to the islands, and others have already arrived.
French interior minister Bruno Retailleau said “all temporary homes have been completely destroyed” and feared a “heavy” death toll.
One reported a local news source that 11 people died and more than 200 were injured, based on the hospital report.
AFP reported the highest death toll – at least 14 – citing a security source.
Located in the northwest of Madagascar, Mayotte is an archipelago made up of one main island, Grand-Terre, and several smaller ones.
Most of the island’s 300,000 or so residents live in tin-roofed shacks, and tens of thousands of people have lost their homes.
Electricity, water and internet are all out. The Paris government sent a plane to transport troops and supplies and emergency workers.
The Pamandzi airport in the area “suffered serious damage, especially to the control tower,” acting French Transport Minister Francois Durovray wrote in X.
Air traffic “will be restored initially with military assistance flights. Ships are on the way to ensure resupply,” he added.
Even before this typhoon hit with force on Saturday morning, there were reports of trees being uprooted, roofs of buildings blown off and power lines downed.
The head of the union of firefighters in Mayotte, Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, told the news channel BFM on Saturday morning that “even the paramedics are locked down”.
He continued: “There is no mobile phone and we cannot reach people on the island. Even earthquake-proof buildings are still standing.
“The emergency command center has been evacuated and is partially operational.”
Interior Minister Retaileau wrote in a statement to X: “I offer my full support to the people of Mayotte. Federal and local emergencies are fully coordinated. 110 public security personnel and firefighters have been deployed and are in place. The second deployment will be made tomorrow with additional personnel of -140.”
French Prime Minister François Bayrou, who took office on Friday, said the storm was “very serious” and was being updated on the situation “hour by hour”. He held an emergency meeting in Paris with the minister.
Initially Mayotte was placed under a purple alert – the highest level – and a “strict closure for all people, including emergency services” was imposed. It has since been reduced to red to allow emergency services to leave their bases.
Retaileau said the island has not had such bad weather since 1934.
On Sunday, Cyclone Chido hit northern Mozambique. Wind gusts were estimated at over 230km/h (140mph) before landfall.
Although the winds are expected to ease, heavy rain and flooding were predicted in northern parts of Mozambique, southern Malawi and later Zimbabwe.
Source link
