Authorities in Mayotte are battling hunger, disease, and lawlessness after Cyclone Chido struck on Saturday, 14 December. Hundreds are feared dead in what is being called one of the most powerful storms to hit the French overseas territory. Winds exceeding 200kph flattened neighborhoods, cutting off power and communications.
The official death toll has reached 22, with over 1,400 people injured, according to Mayotte Hospital. Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, mayor of the capital Mamoudzou, warned the actual toll could be far higher due to undocumented migrants living in informal settlements. “The images are apocalyptic. It’s a disaster; there’s nothing left,” a nurse at Mamoudzou Hospital told BFM TV.
Climate Change Fueled Cyclone Chido’s Intensity
Meteo France confirmed Cyclone Chido as the deadliest storm to hit Mayotte in over 90 years. A rapid study by Imperial College London linked human-caused climate change to the cyclone’s intensity, pushing it from a Category 3 to a Category 4 storm. Dr. Nathan Sparks, a research associate at Imperial, stated, “Climate change increased Chido’s wind speeds by 11 kph, making such storms 40% more likely.”
Scientists found hot sea temperatures, which fueled Chido, were made 50 times more likely by climate change. Dr. Friederike Otto of World Weather Attribution described the disaster as a tragic consequence of poverty and climate change. “The poorest, who emit the least emissions, suffer the most extreme weather,” Otto explained. Experts warn similar storms could become 26% more likely if global temperatures rise by 2.6°C, projected by 2100.
France’s Political Crisis Deepens Amid Response Criticism
The disaster in Mayotte threatens to exacerbate France’s ongoing political crisis. President Emmanuel Macron promised to visit the territory soon, but newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou faced criticism for attending a crisis meeting virtually. Bayrou defended himself, citing efforts to form a government.
Acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau claimed the early warning system “worked perfectly.” However, many undocumented migrants avoided shelters, fearing arrest. Left-wing politicians accused France of neglecting Mayotte’s preparation for extreme weather. Socialist Party chairman Olivier Faure condemned Retailleau, blaming systemic failures in protecting vulnerable communities from climate disasters.