Hundreds Feared Dead as Cyclone Chido Wreaks Havoc on Mayotte: The French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte has been devastated after Cyclone Shadow made landfall over the weekend with winds exceeding 200 km/h. The powerful storm tore through the island, striking homes and sending residents into fear and panic.
“I was screaming because I live there,” one resident recounted. “After an hour of relentless wind, my neighbors came to check on me. I had called for help and was lucky the phone even worked. After the storm, they broke down my door, and I managed to get out.”
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The Worst Storm in Nearly a Century
Officials have described Cyclone Shadow as the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a hundred years. Over a third of the island’s population lives in makeshift homes, many perched on unstable hillsides. Torrential rainfall soaked the loose soil, causing landslides that compounded the climate disaster.
“We believe there could be hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of fatalities,” an official stated. “The violence of this storm is something we all experienced—personally, with our families, and among colleagues.”
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The mayor of Mayotte’s capital highlighted the catastrophic damage: “The storm brought down power lines, destroyed water plants, and severely damaged roads. Over 200 people have been badly injured, and that number is likely to rise.”
Cyclone Shadow’s Path of Destruction
As Cyclone Shadow moves beyond Mayotte, neighboring Mozambique, and Malawi are now facing its fury. According to the UN, numerous homes, schools, and health facilities have been partially or completely destroyed, leaving thousands displaced and in urgent need of aid.
