Cyclone Chido hits Mayotte and Mozambique

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Soon after Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte reinforcements arrived from France and are combing through the wreckage for survivors. There are already dozens of victims and President Macron will declare a national day of mourning. With more than a hundred thousand undocumented migrants living in Mayotte it will be difficult for authorities to determine the death toll.

The wind caused extensive damage to infrastructure and downed power lines caused widespread power outages. The roads are completely impassable in some places and this prevents rescuers from working. Overall, 85 percent of the population is without electricity and most of them lack food and water.

The health system on the island was literally paralyzed by Cyclone Chido and now Mayotte is completely dependent on the help of France. She colonized Mayotte in 1841 and added them to her overseas territories.

A large number of residents in Mayotte have been without food since Saturday. The island's prefect told media that the death toll could rise significantly after a full assessment of the damage. 110 French soldiers have flown to Mayotte to help, and another 160 are on the way. Local police forces have been reinforced with eight hundred volunteer emergency responders.

In addition to Mayotte, Cyclone Chido also hit mainland Mozambique, where it unleashed flash floods and uprooted trees. He even damaged buildings near the town of Pemba and took several victims. During Saturday, it caused structural damage and power outages in Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces.

According to meteorologists, Cyclone Chido has intensified due to its long journey across the ocean. The cyclone weakened only after entering the mainland of rugged Madagascar. After that, it weakened to a tropical depression and headed for Malawi, from where it should move to Zimbabwe during Tuesday. Rainfall in the range of 150 to 300 millimeters is expected to accompany the cyclone.

Source:BBC/Editorial