Residents of Devastated Island Compare Destruction to Nuclear War Aftermath

   Residents of Mayotte have described scenes reminiscent of an apocalyptic disaster following the passage of Cyclone Chido, the worst storm to hit the French Indian Ocean territory in 90 years. The cyclone brought wind speeds exceeding 225 km/h (140 mph) and wreaked havoc, particularly in the poorest areas of the island, where many lived in fragile, tin-roofed shacks. The damage has been devastating, with homes destroyed, essential infrastructure damaged, and a serious humanitarian crisis unfolding.

The cyclone’s violent winds and heavy rainfall left many communities without access to basic necessities. Residents, particularly those in the capital city of Mamoudzou, have been without clean drinking water for days, and food shortages are widespread. One local resident from Mamoudzou expressed the dire situation, saying, “Some of my neighbors are hungry and thirsty.” There are also reports of significant distress as people wait for help amidst the destruction.

The French government has sent rescue workers, including reinforcements from mainland France, to search through the wreckage for survivors. Local officials have confirmed that the death toll could reach into the thousands, though accurately counting the number of casualties has been difficult. This is primarily due to the large number of undocumented migrants on the island, which has a population of 320,000, including over 100,000 undocumented individuals. These migrants, many of whom live in slum areas, have been particularly vulnerable to the storm’s wrath.

The scale of the destruction is compounded by the extensive damage to the island’s infrastructure. Power lines are down, roads are impassable, and the region’s water treatment plant has been destroyed, leaving people without access to clean water. The damage to telecommunications and electricity infrastructure has made it incredibly challenging for both residents and aid workers to coordinate rescue and relief efforts. While some aid supplies have arrived, including tarpaulins for emergency shelters, food and clean water remain in short supply, exacerbating the already dire situation.

John Balloz, a resident of Mamoudzou, recounted his experience during the cyclone, saying, “I was screaming because I could see the end coming for me.” He described the widespread devastation, stating that nearly everything was destroyed, including vital infrastructure like the water treatment plant and electric pylons. “There’s a lot to do,” he added, referring to the long recovery process ahead. Residents like Balloz are now waiting in desperation for help, particularly for food, water, and the restoration of electricity.

The situation has also been described as a “tragedy” by Mohamed Ishmael, another Mamoudzou resident, who compared the aftermath to that of a nuclear war. “You feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war… I saw an entire neighborhood disappear,” he said. This feeling of despair has been echoed by others, with hunger being a particular source of concern. Mayotte Senator Salama Ramia expressed worries about the lack of food and water for many residents, some of whom have not eaten or drunk anything since the cyclone struck on Saturday.

French officials have warned that the death toll could climb significantly as the full extent of the damage is assessed. The prefect of Mayotte, François-Xavier Bieuville, indicated that the number of fatalities could easily rise into the hundreds, or even the thousands, once the search and rescue operations are completed. Authorities are also grappling with difficulties in documenting the deaths, particularly because of the Muslim tradition of burying the dead within 24 hours, which has made it harder to track casualties.

The French government has deployed 110 soldiers to assist with the rescue efforts, with an additional 160 soldiers on their way. The French Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, is expected to visit the island soon to help coordinate the relief operation. The French Red Cross, which is assisting with the response, described the situation in Mayotte as “chaotic.” They have only been able to reach a fraction of their volunteers, and reports suggest that entire slum areas have been wiped out, with few details available on the number of displaced people.

Mayotte, a French overseas territory, has long struggled with poverty, unemployment, and political instability. Approximately 75% of its population lives below the national poverty line, and unemployment is high, affecting one in three people. The island has historically been heavily dependent on French financial aid. The cyclone has exposed and exacerbated these vulnerabilities, leaving the island in a state of desperate need.

In addition to the destruction in Mayotte, Cyclone Chido also impacted neighboring Mozambique, where flash floods, uprooted trees, and structural damage were reported. Three deaths have been confirmed in Mozambique, with aid agencies expressing concern about the lack of access to essential services, including healthcare and clean water, as well as the spread of diseases like cholera and malaria.

Cyclone Chido’s intensity is being attributed to the effects of climate change, as the storm was supercharged by unusually warm waters in the Indian Ocean. Meteorologists have warned that the storm’s destructive power is a sign of increasingly frequent and severe storms in the region due to rising sea temperatures.

As Mayotte begins the long road to recovery, the full impact of Cyclone Chido is still being realized. Relief efforts continue, and the island’s residents are in urgent need of humanitarian aid to help them rebuild their lives.