Fatshimetrie— The shockwave caused by the passage of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte in 2024 plunged the French archipelago into an unprecedented state of disaster. The aftermath left by this category 4 storm has been described as apocalyptic, with some residents not hesitating to compare it to an atomic bomb.
Bruno Garcia, owner of the Hotel Caribou in Mamoudzou, the capital of Mayotte, testified to the scene of desolation that unfolded before his eyes. “We lost everything. The entire hotel is completely destroyed. There is nothing left. It is as if an atomic bomb had fallen on Mayotte,” Garcia told BFMTV.
Located in the Indian Ocean, west of Madagascar, Mayotte, made up of two main islands, was hit by winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour, causing considerable damage. Cyclone Chido not only devastated entire neighborhoods, but also paralyzed the archipelago’s vital infrastructure, damaging hospitals, schools, and even the airport control tower.
Official figures show 11 deaths confirmed by the French Interior Ministry, but local authorities fear a much higher toll, potentially hundreds or even thousands of victims. François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, told Mayotte la 1ère television: “I think there are several hundred dead, maybe we will approach a thousand. Or even thousands… given the violence of this event.”
The human toll is not the only tragic aspect of this disaster. The worst-hit neighborhoods, made up of tin shacks and precarious structures, were the hardest hit. The total loss of these homes has reinforced the feeling of apocalypse that reigns over the archipelago.
The logistical situation is equally worrying. Debris is blocking roads, making aid delivery difficult and hampering search and rescue operations. To date, around two-thirds of the island remains inaccessible, further complicating relief efforts.
At the same time, residents of Mayotte have had to deal with a complete blackout of communications networks, complicating the search for missing people. This isolation has caused concern among families who have turned to social media for news of their loved ones.
Located thousands of kilometres from mainland France, Mayotte is already recognised as the poorest place in the European Union, with significant social and economic challenges. More than 100,000 undocumented migrants live on the island, adding an additional dimension to the looming humanitarian crisis.
In this race against time to save lives and rebuild what has been destroyed, hundreds of rescue workers, firefighters and police officers have been deployed from France and neighbouring Réunion. Despite the obstacles, mutual aid and solidarity remain the pillars of the emergency response in Mayotte.
This tragedy is yet another reminder of the devastating impact of extreme weather events, amplified by climate change. Cyclones, veritable machines of destruction fueled by the warm waters of the ocean, remind us that preserving our planet is more urgent than ever.
In conclusion, the current situation in Mayotte is a call for compassion, solidarity and action. The archipelago will recover from this dark episode, but the scale of the damage prompts reflection on resilience in the face of natural disasters and the need to preserve our environment for future generations.