Category 4 Cyclone Chido Hits Mayotte with 226 km/h Winds, Worst Since 1934, At Least Two Dead

Dec 14, 2024, 11:11 AM

Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 210 km/h (130 mph), struck Mayotte on Saturday, causing widespread devastation across the French archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The cyclone brought winds exceeding 220 km/h, with a recorded gust of 226 km/h at Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi International Airport. At least two people have died, and over 15,000 households are without electricity. Mayotte was placed under the highest level of alert, alerte violette, starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, with schools closed since Thursday, and residents instructed to stay indoors. The alert was later downgraded to alerte rouge to allow emergency services to operate. The government has deployed 1,600 police and gendarmes to assist with relief efforts, and emergency services are working to clear roads and restore power. The cyclone is the most powerful to hit Mayotte since 1934, surpassing the intensity of Cyclone Kamisy in 1984. The Prefect of Mayotte reported significant damage, stating, "Many of us have lost everything." The area of Kaweni in Mamoudzou has been particularly affected, with extensive destruction reported. The island's airport has also suffered major damage. President Emmanuel Macron pledged support, saying, "Mahorais, the entire country stands by your side." Cyclone Chido is now moving towards Mozambique, where it is expected to make landfall on Sunday.