Cyclone Chido Hits Mayotte with 226 km/h Winds, Worst Since 1934; Violet Alert Declared

Dec 14, 2024, 09:30 AM

Mayotte, a French archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is experiencing severe impacts from Cyclone Chido. Initially placed under orange alert, the region escalated to red and then violet alert—the highest level of cyclone warning—starting from 7:00 am on December 14, as the storm approached. Schools were closed on Friday and Saturday in anticipation of the cyclone's arrival. Cyclone Chido made landfall around 10:20 am local time, bringing destructive winds with gusts up to 226 km/h recorded at Pamandzi Airport, causing extensive damage including roofs being torn off, power lines downed, and trees uprooted. The cyclone is considered the most powerful to strike Mayotte since 1934. Kawéni and other areas have been severely damaged. Over 15,000 homes are without electricity. Mayotte La 1ère television station was damaged, suspending broadcasts. Emergency services are mobilized to assist the affected population, with an additional 140 military personnel and firefighters being deployed. The president of the association of mayors of Mayotte described the situation as 'catastrophic.' Authorities have lifted the violet alert to allow for rescue operations, and the archipelago is now under a red alert.