Emergency teams are scrambling to deliver aid to the French overseas territory of Mayotte after Cyclone Chido—the most powerful storm to hit the Indian Ocean islands in nearly a century—left a trail of devastation. With winds exceeding 200 kph (124 mph), the cyclone flattened homes, uprooted trees, and flooded hospitals, leaving residents describing scenes akin to a 'nuclear apocalypse.' 😱
French authorities confirmed the first military planes carrying supplies, generators, and medical equipment have landed, while an air bridge connects Mayotte to Réunion Island for rapid relief. Nicolas Daragon, France’s minister for everyday security, pledged the state’s full support for the territory’s 300,000+ residents, many of whom live in makeshift housing vulnerable to extreme weather.
Casualty estimates remain uncertain, but local officials fear hundreds, possibly thousands, have died. 'The scale of this disaster is unprecedented,' said Mayotte’s prefect, François-Xavier Bieuville. Military teams are setting up temporary shelters and distributing rations as survivors face shortages of food, water, and power.
🌍 Mayotte, located between Madagascar and Mozambique, is one of France’s poorest territories and has long struggled with poverty and migration tensions. Cyclone Chido’s impact highlights the growing challenges climate-driven disasters pose to vulnerable regions. Stay tuned for updates as relief efforts accelerate.
