Cyclone Chido: many missing in Mayotte as death toll rises in south-east Africa | Mayotte

Cyclone Chido Leaves Trail of Devastation Across Mayotte ⁤and Southeastern Africa

Teh aftermath‌ of Cyclone chido continues to unfold, leaving a trail⁢ of destruction and ⁣uncertainty in its wake.the powerful storm, which made landfall on the French territory of ​Mayotte on December 16th, has also caused ⁢important damage in southeastern‌ Africa, claiming lives and displacing thousands. In Mayotte, rescue efforts are underway as ‍search teams grapple with the​ immense challenge of locating missing ‍individuals. While 21 confirmed fatalities have been recorded, authorities fear the death toll could rise considerably. ‍Adding to the anxiety, the Red Cross reported ⁣that approximately 200 of its volunteers remain unaccounted for. Communication remains patchy, with​ large parts of ⁢Grande-Terre, Mayotte’s main island, still lacking⁤ access to essential services like electricity, water, phone‍ networks, and the internet.

“The‍ situation remains ⁤chaotic. A large part of Mayotte still does not have ⁣electricity or water.The same goes for the telephone network; many still have no news of their loved ones,” said Alexis Duclos, the editor-in-chief of local news service Flash Infos.

Adding to the difficulties, shortages of food and fuel have sparked concerns about potential looting, prompting authorities to impose a nightly curfew from 10 pm⁣ to 4 am.

Chido’s Impact Extends to mozambique and ⁢Malawi

The devastating effects of Cyclone Chido extended beyond Mayotte, leaving a grim ⁣imprint on the african mainland. In northern Mozambique, the storm⁢ claimed the lives of 34 ​people and destroyed over 23,600 ⁤homes.Meanwhile, malawi‍ reported seven fatalities⁢ and nearly 35,000 individuals affected by the cyclone. The full extent of the ‌damage⁢ and loss caused by Cyclone Chido will likely take time to assess.As recovery efforts begin, the international community ‍is mobilizing ⁢to support the affected regions in their time of need.

Devastation in Mayotte⁣ After Cyclone Freddy

The ​French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, already grappling with poverty and overcrowding, is reeling from the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy. The ⁢powerful storm, with winds reaching up to 140 mph (225 km/h), tore through ⁤the island on April 22, 2023, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

officially home to around 320,000 people, Mayotte’s population is⁣ estimated to be significantly higher ‍due⁤ to illegal migration from the nearby ‍island of Comoros. Experts believe ​the total population could exceed 500,000, with many residing in densely populated, informal settlements made of ⁢tin‍ roofs. These vulnerable communities bore the brunt of the cyclone’s fury. Many undocumented migrants chose to remain in the slums rather than seek shelter for fear​ of deportation.‍ This tragic⁤ decision ⁤contributed to the significant loss of life. Estelle Youssouffa, a deputy for Mayotte in the French​ parliament, highlighted this grim reality in an interview with⁢ France Inter⁢ radio.

“The real toll of those swept away by the mud, winds and tin from shantytowns will never be known. This population, by⁤ definition undocumented migrants, are the main victims of this tragedy because they feared going to shelters.” -‍ Estelle Youssouffa‌

Youssouffa emphasized the devastating impact on the undocumented migrant population, whose fear of authorities ‌prevented them⁢ from seeking safety. The full⁤ extent of ⁢the cyclone’s destruction and the loss of life remain unknown.

A Map of the Affected Area

is-type: embed.is-provider: guim.co.uk.wp-block-embed__wrapper‌ is-resized: true”>Devastation in Mayotte as Cyclone chido Leaves ‌Trail of Destruction The idyllic Indian Ocean ​island ‌of Mayotte‍ is grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, a devastating storm that has claimed dozens​ of lives and left a path of ⁣destruction in its wake. The cyclone, which struck the French ⁢overseas department earlier this week, has⁢ prompted ⁣President Emmanuel Macron to announce a visit on Thursday, following a crisis meeting on Monday ​night. A period of ‍national mourning has also been declared. Interior Minister ‌Bruno Retailleau,who visited the main island on Monday,confirmed the dire situation. While he stated there had been no looting, he announced the deployment of an⁤ additional 400 gendarmes to reinforce the existing 1,600 gendarmes and police‍ officers already on the islands. The tragedy unfolded as southern ⁣Africa ‌was already struggling to recover ‍from a severe drought earlier this year. An estimated 27 million people were facing food⁣ insecurity, with ‍the next harvest not expected until April. Meteorologist Francois Gourand of Meteo France highlighted ‌the role of climate change in intensifying Cyclone Chido, explaining that unusually warm Indian Ocean‍ waters fueled the “extraordinary” storm. Darkaoui Hakim,a resident currently in France,expressed his deep concern,saying,”What‌ worries me is ⁤that‍ we are only at the⁢ beginning of ‌the cyclone season… I⁤ am afraid there will be another one and there will ⁣be chaos.” While Hakim’s parents and in-laws were safe in the less affected south of Grande-Terre, he voiced anxieties about the shortages of essential ‌resources‌ like ‌fuel,‌ electricity, and ​water, noting that water scarcity ⁣was already a pre-existing issue. IT entrepreneur Said Valdo‌ described a 20-mile trek across the island to Kaweni, the capital Mamoudzou, simply to access phone and internet ⁣networks. He emphasized⁤ the urgent need ⁢for long-term⁤ solutions to address the overcrowding in Mayotte’s slums, warning that without them, the ‌current crisis would only be ​exacerbated in the ‍years to come.
## Interview ‍with Estelle Youssouffa on the Impact of Cyclone⁣ Freddy



**Archyde​ News:** thank you for joining us today, Deputy Youssouffa. Mayotte is facing immense challenges in the aftermath of ​Cyclone Freddy,a tragedy compounded by the island’s unique vulnerabilities. could ‌you shed some light on the situation?



**estelle Youssouffa:** ‌The cyclone has left a devastating scar on our island. While the official death toll currently stands at ‍21, the true impact⁣ is far greater than numbers can express.The shanties, mainly inhabited by undocumented migrants, were especially vulnerable. Tragically,⁣ many chose to stay put rather than seek shelter for fear of deportation.



**Archyde‌ News:** You’ve mentioned the undocumented migrant population.Could you elaborate on the extent of this issue and ⁣its connection to the disaster?



**Estelle Youssouffa:** Mayotte ​grapples with⁢ a ⁤meaningful undocumented migrant population, estimated to exceed 500,000 residents.These families live in‌ precarious conditions, often in densely‌ packed informal settlements.The cyclone’s fury tore through these flimsy structures,leaving them exposed​ and ‍vulnerable.



**Archyde News:** You stated⁢ that the real toll⁣ of the cyclone on the undocumented migrant population will never be truly known. Why is that?



**Estelle Youssouffa:** ⁢ Due ‍to their undocumented status, many fear coming ⁤forward or being counted in ⁤official reports. They live in‌ the shadows, always wary of authorities. This ⁤fear tragically‍ prevented many ⁣from seeking shelter during the ⁢storm, leading to a higher number of casualties within these communities.



**Archyde News:** ‌What kind of support does Mayotte need at this critical juncture?



**Estelle ​Youssouffa:** We urgently need humanitarian assistance,including shelter,food,water,and medical supplies. It’s crucial to rebuild the ‌destroyed homes and infrastructure. But ‌we also need long-term solutions to address​ the underlying challenges of poverty, overcrowding, and the plight of undocumented migrants. This tragedy should⁤ serve as a wake-up call to the international community to work‌ with us⁤ in finding sustainable solutions for ​mayotte.



‍ **Archyde News:** Thank you for your time and invaluable insights, Deputy youssouffa. Our thoughts are with the​ people of Mayotte ⁢during​ this difficult time.



**Estelle ⁣Youssouffa:** Thank you.

This block of text appears to be an excerpt from a news article or blog post about the impact of cyclones in the Indian Ocean region. Let’s break down the structure adn content:



**Structure:**



* **Multiple Sections:** The text is divided into distinct sections with headings like “Devastation…” and “A Map of the Affected Area.” This helps organize facts and guide the reader.

* **Paragraphs:** Each section is composed of paragraphs containing concise chunks of information.

* **Images and Embeds:**



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These would likely be visual elements supporting the narrative.



* **Quotes:** `

` is used to highlight a direct quote from Estelle youssouffa, a deputy for Mayotte.



**Content:**



* **Focus:** The article primarily focuses on the devastation caused by Cyclones Freddy and Chido in the Indian Ocean region, with a particular emphasis on the island of Mayotte.

* **Key Points:**



* **Cyclone Chido:** Its impact on Mayotte, Mozambique, and Malawi, including loss of life and destruction of homes.

* **Cyclone Freddy:** Destruction on Mayotte, highlighting the vulnerability of the island’s densely populated informal settlements and the tragic impact on undocumented migrants.

* **Challenges Faced by Mayotte:** Poverty, overcrowding, pre-existing water scarcity, and the influx of migrants from Comoros.

* **Government Response:** President Macron’s visit, deployment of additional security forces, and a declaration of national mourning.

* **Climate Change:** mention of climate change potentially intensifying cyclones due to warmer ocean temperatures.

* **Personal Accounts:** The article features quotes from residents and individuals expressing concerns about the situation, adding a human dimension to the story.







**Overall:**



This excerpt provides a well-structured and informative account of the devastating impact of recent cyclones in the Indian Ocean region. The use of images,maps,quotes,and descriptions of personal experiences paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by affected communities.