Cyclone Chido devastates Mozambique and Mayotte

A devastating Cyclone Chido has caused significant destruction and loss of life across Mozambique and the French territory of Mayotte, with the death toll expected to rise. According to the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, at least 34 people have died in Mozambique since the cyclone made landfall, with over 174,000 people impacted and 319 injured.

In Mozambique, the storm has destroyed or damaged 35,000 houses, affected multiple schools and health facilities, and left approximately 200,000 customers without power. Drone footage from Cabo Delgado province revealed widespread destruction, with razed houses and scattered belongings among the few remaining standing structures.

The situation in Mayotte, where the cyclone struck with unprecedented force, is particularly dire. French officials report it as the strongest storm to hit the territory in 90 years, with 22 confirmed deaths and around 1,400 injuries so far. However, the actual death toll could be much higher, as approximately one-third of the island's 321,000 population remains unaccounted for due to severe communication disruptions.

The International Federation of the Red Cross reports that about 100,000 people are still unreachable due to damaged infrastructure and disrupted communications. The disaster has also highlighted social and political tensions in Mayotte, France's poorest overseas territory, where three-quarters of the population lives in relative poverty.

The cyclone's aftermath has sparked political controversy in mainland France, particularly regarding immigration issues. Local officials noted that many undocumented immigrants, primarily from nearby Comoros and Madagascar, avoided seeking shelter during the storm, potentially fearing arrest. Despite claims by French officials that the early warning system functioned effectively, the territory's complex social dynamics may have contributed to the high casualty rate.