In brief
Cyclone Chido, described as one of the most intense storms ever recorded, has caused substantial destruction in Mozambique and Mayotte, with hundreds feared dead and thousands displaced.
At least 34 lives have been lost in Mozambique following the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido, classified as one of the most powerful storms ever documented in the region. The National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) reported the deaths mainly resulted from falling objects during the cyclone's ferocious winds, which reached speeds of approximately 260 km/h (160 mph). The cyclone made landfall on Sunday after previously devastating Mayotte, a French overseas territory, where the death toll could be much higher. Reports suggest hundreds of individuals remain unaccounted for in Mayotte, prompting serious concern. In Mozambique, the situation is described as "heart-breaking" by authorities, indicating that the death toll may increase. Cyclone Chido has left more than 34,000 families homeless, with critical infrastructures, including schools and health facilities, suffering significant damage. Many of the fatalities, including a young girl, were linked to debris from collapsed structures.In addition to the human toll, approximately 200,000 customers have lost electricity as state-owned Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) struggles to restore power and communications throughout the affected regions, which include Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Nampula. Mayotte has also experienced profound infrastructure damage, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. French authorities have implemented a night-time curfew to curb looting as they grapple with the aftermath. Local officials, including French MP Estelle Youssouffa, have voiced fears that the true extent of casualties may never be fully understood, particularly among undocumented immigrants who may have been living in vulnerable areas. Youssouffa indicated that up to 90% of the buildings on the island have been damaged, and the current crisis echoes last year's devastation from Cyclone Freddy in Mozambique, which resulted in over 180 deaths. As both regions begin the process of recovery, the need for immediate humanitarian aid has never been more pressing.
