Cyclone Chido hits Mayotte, France Kills people and massively destroy properties

France’s Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte was hit over the weekend by a powerful cyclone, the strongest to strike the islands in nearly a century.

Situated northwest of Madagascar, Mayotte is an archipelago made up of one main island, Grand-Terre, and several smaller islands.

The majority of the island’s approximately 300,000 residents live in shanties with sheet metal roofs, and tens of thousands have been left homeless.

There are fears that hundreds may have died due to the cyclone, with a confirmed death toll of at least 20.

Rescue teams, including additional support from France, are sifting through the rubble in search of survivors.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would declare a national day of mourning in response to ‘this tragedy, which has affected us all’.

Officials reported challenges in determining the death toll due to the substantial number of undocumented migrantsover 100,000in a population of 320,000.

Significant damage to infrastructure, including downed power lines and blocked roads, is seriously impeding emergency response efforts.

Most Kenyans, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, expressed their solidarity with the people of Mayotte.

On his official X account on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Mudavadi shared a sincere message of support on behalf of the Kenyan people.