**With authorities struggling to restore vital services, the government ramps up emergency measures for recovery and support.**
**Mayotte Declares Emergency as Cyclone Chido Wreaks Havoc**
**Mayotte Declares Emergency as Cyclone Chido Wreaks Havoc**
**The island territory confronts catastrophic damage and humanitarian crisis following the deadly storm.**
A state of exceptional natural disaster has been announced in Mayotte following the destructive impact of Cyclone Chido. The cyclone, which struck on Saturday, has been reported to have claimed at least 31 lives, while many residents remain unaccounted for. This unprecedented emergency declaration marks the first time such a measure has been taken in France’s overseas territories, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
The declaration comes ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's scheduled visit to Mayotte, where tens of thousands are currently without access to fresh water as a curfew has been imposed to mitigate potential looting and unrest. The emergency status is set for an initial month, with plans for possible extensions if recovery efforts demand more time.
François-Noël Buffet, the minister overseeing overseas territories, emphasized the need for advanced resources to restore critical services and develop a long-term reconstruction strategy. Emergency teams are actively involved in delivering food and water to affected populations, alongside initiatives to clear debris and restore communication and power lines.
Health officials have voiced concerns over the potential outbreak of infectious diseases, as many residents struggle with shortages of clean drinking water amidst rampant rationing at local shops. The priority now lies in rehabilitating damaged water plants to prevent further health crises. The cyclone, which produced wind gusts surpassing 225 km/h (140 mph), has devastated slum-style neighborhoods, where the predominantly poor population dwells in makeshift homes.
For years, Macron’s government has faced criticism for insufficient investment in the territory, which hosts approximately 100,000 migrants. Many of these individuals, living in informal settlements, have been severely affected by the cyclone’s aftermath. After battering Mayotte, Cyclone Chido continued on to the African mainland, resulting in additional fatalities in Mozambique and Malawi.
As rescue operations continue in the stricken islands, the harrowing effects of the cyclone are becoming painfully apparent, drawing urgent calls for international support and solidarity.
