**Mayotte facing the storm: Cyclone alert and community resilience**
Tropical cyclone Dikeledi, now under the watchful eye of Météo-France services, threatens to strike the Mayotte archipelago with force, already tested by the calamitous passage of cyclone Chido, which occurred less than a month earlier. This new climatic event not only raises questions about security, it also highlights the structural inequalities that afflict the region and the need for appropriate preparation for disasters.
### A worrying climate context
Cyclones form in the Indian Ocean between November and March. However, this 2025 season is particularly worrying, with surface water temperatures reaching nearly 30°C. Studies show that an increase in these temperatures predicts more powerful and devastating future storms. For Mayotte, which is at the crossroads of disrupted climate trajectories, this represents increased vulnerability not only to cyclones, but also to other climate hazards, such as floods and earthquakes.
Cyclone Chido, which has already left deep scars on the archipelago—39 dead and more than 5,600 injured—has highlighted a cruel reality: the resilience of infrastructure, mainly housing, is already undermined by the precarious nature of many buildings. The consequences of Dikeledi could exacerbate this situation, creating a vicious circle of destruction and reconstruction, without a real urban planning and resilience plan.
### Community life and preparations for the storm
The prefecture of Mayotte, aware of the imminent danger, has orchestrated an unprecedented mobilization. 79 emergency shelters have been set up, but these efforts will not be enough if the population does not receive the necessary support to anticipate the consequences. Families, as evidenced by testimonies collected on Fatshimetrie, are busy building up food and hydration stocks, against a backdrop of palpable anxiety in the face of the natural calamity.
Ismahane, a 25-year-old woman, and her family have already taken preventive measures. “We bought water, milk, rice, and pasta,” she says, as worry mixes with the need to protect her loved ones. This community reflex is characteristic of islands in the face of natural disasters, where intergenerational and neighborhood ties prove to be essential pillars of resilience.
### A global challenge
Cyclone Dikeledi occurs in a global context marked by the intensification of extreme weather events. Nations all around the planet, from the Pacific Islands to the Caribbean, are realizing that the fight against climate can no longer be left to national governments alone. Investments in infrastructure strengthening, public education on preparedness, and community resilience techniques are necessary, but also insufficient in the face of the challenge of environmental degradation.
The consequences of cyclones are not only a local problem — they also affect supply chains and increase demographic risk, in the face of increasing climate migration. The international community must take stock of these challenges and mobilize to provide unconditional support to the affected regions, while refining global policies to combat climate change within a framework of social justice.
### Conclusion
As Dikeledi approaches, all eyes are on Mayotte, an island ostracized by history but endowed with impressive human potential. Far from being mere observers of the storm, the people of Mayotte are forging their future in the face of adversity. The importance of long-term support to structure urban planning and improve infrastructure is more crucial than ever. By joining forces, the inhabitants of the archipelago can not only hope to overcome the storms that threaten their territory, but also test the resilience of a community shaped by trials and courage. The storm does not only destroy, it also offers an opportunity to rethink our relationship with nature and others, revealing the importance of sustainable alternatives and mutual aid in the face of adversity.