Macron arrives in Mayotte to survey Cyclone Chido devastation

Mamoudzou: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte on Thursday to assess the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Chido. Thousands of residents are grappling without basic essentials such as water, electricity, and shelter.

Upon arrival, an airport security agent informed Macron that the region was severely damaged. The agent described the dire conditions, explaining that children were without water, food, or shelter, and many people were left exposed to the elements. They urged for immediate emergency assistance as many people were wet and seeking shelter in whatever they could find.

Macron took a helicopter ride to survey the damage from the air before visiting Mamoudzou’s hospital, where he met medical staff and patients. He plans to visit a neighborhood devastated by the cyclone later. According to French authorities, at least 31 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 1,500 others injured, including over 200 critically. However, it is feared the true death toll could be much higher, as the powerful cyclone, the strongest to hit the region in nearly a century, devastated the island over the weekend.

Local resident Ahamadi Mohammed expressed hope that Macron’s visit would lead to significant aid for the recovery efforts. He stated that the visit would help secure help to rebuild the island.

A French navy ship carrying 180 tons of aid and equipment arrived on Thursday to support the island's relief operations.

The slums on the outskirts of Mamoudzou were among the hardest hit by the cyclone. Many residents lost their homes, and some lost their lives. Nassirou Hamidouni, a father of five, sheltered in his house during the cyclone. Tragically, his neighbor was killed when their house collapsed on him and his children. Hamidouni and others dug through the rubble to try to save them.

Hamidouni is now attempting to rebuild his own home, which was also destroyed. He expressed concern that the official death toll is far too low considering the scale of the devastation. He stated that the 30 reported deaths seemed too few for the extent of the tragedy and the severity of the disaster.

Mayotte, located between mainland Africa and Madagascar, is France’s poorest territory. The cyclone caused extensive damage, especially among residents who ignored early warnings, believing the storm would not be so severe.

With PTI inputs