Cyclone Chido Ravages France's Mayotte, Leaving 11 Dead

Cyclone Chido, the fiercest storm to hit France's Mayotte archipelago in nearly a century, left at least 11 dead and caused extensive destruction over the weekend, French authorities and weather agencies confirmed on Sunday.

The cyclone unleashed winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour, damaging makeshift homes, government facilities, and a hospital, according to Meteo-France. Officials reported difficulties in determining the exact death toll amid concerns about disruptions to food, water, and sanitation access on the Indian Ocean islands north of Madagascar.

In a tragic escalation, Chido barreled across the Mozambique Channel and made landfall early Sunday, slamming into Mozambique's coastline approximately 40 kilometers south of the city of Pemba. Weather experts observed that the cyclone had strengthened as it crossed the channel.

UNICEF, already on the ground in the region, reported significant damage to homes, schools, and healthcare facilities in Mozambique. “We are collaborating with government agencies to ensure the continuity of essential services for affected communities,” the organization said in a statement.

Mozambique’s weather service predicted severe thunderstorms and strong winds in the Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces, with up to 250 millimeters of rainfall expected within 24 hours. Video footage from Pemba revealed heavy rain and uprooted trees, with reports of storm damage to residential properties.

Chido’s trail of destruction has underscored the vulnerability of coastal communities in the Indian Ocean and the pressing need for disaster preparedness in the region. Authorities in both Mayotte and Mozambique continue to assess the full impact as relief efforts get underway.

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