CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The destruction caused by Cyclone Chido has left Mayotte, a French territory, facing an alarming loss of life, which local officials estimate could reach “several hundred” or even thousands. This grim forecast was shared by the island’s top government representative during a local news broadcast on Sunday.

In the wake of the disaster, France has promptly sent rescue teams and vital supplies to its struggling overseas department in the Indian Ocean, which has suffered extensive devastation.

François-Xavier Bieuville, the Prefect of Mayotte, conveyed his bleak outlook to Mayotte la 1ere, suggesting that the current death toll could rise significantly, with numbers potentially approaching a thousand or more due to the cyclone’s intensity. He stated, “I believe there are several hundred deceased, and we might very well see the count reach into the thousands… given the gravity of this situation.”

Bieuville previously described this cyclone as the most powerful to hit Mayotte in nearly 90 years.

He acknowledged the difficulties in accurately determining the number of casualties and injuries after the island was struck by the fierce storm on Saturday, which inflicted severe damage on infrastructure, including the airport, while entire communities were left in ruins and power outages became widespread.

Earlier on Sunday, the French Interior Ministry reported at least 11 confirmed deaths and over 250 injuries, warning that these numbers are likely to climb sharply.

Mayotte, situated in the southwestern Indian Ocean near the African coast, is known as France’s poorest island and the most economically challenged territory within the European Union, with a population nearing 300,000 spread across two primary islands.

Bieuville pointed out that the hardest-hit areas were the slums, where makeshift metal shacks and informal homes are prevalent throughout Mayotte. He expressed doubt about the official casualty figures, asserting, “This number seems implausible when you look at the devastation in the slums.”

“I suspect the human toll is considerably higher,” he added.

Mayotte was devastated by Cyclone Chido

Cyclone Chido swept through the southwestern Indian Ocean on Friday and Saturday, affecting nearby Comoros and Madagascar as well. However, Mayotte bore the brunt of the cyclone’s wrath, with winds surpassing 220 kph (136 mph), as reported by the French meteorological service, categorizing it as a level 4 cyclone, the second highest on the scale.

After striking Mayotte, Chido moved toward Mozambique, raising alarms for over 2 million individuals in the northern regions, according to local authorities.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for the people of Mayotte, while Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is expected to visit the island on Monday. Following an emergency meeting in Paris, Retailleau acknowledged the potential for a significant death toll, and new Prime Minister François Bayrou, who took office on Friday, remarked on the extensive infrastructural damage throughout Mayotte.

On Sunday, Pope Francis also offered prayers for the victims during his visit to the French Mediterranean island of Corsica.

France is set to establish air and sea connections to Mayotte

Rescue and firefighting units have been dispatched from France and the nearby French territory of Reunion, with supplies being flown in using military aircraft and transported by naval vessels. Damage to the airport’s control tower has limited flights to military operations only.

Patrice Latron, the prefect of Reunion, announced plans to establish an air and sea bridge linking Reunion to Mayotte. An additional 800 rescue personnel are anticipated to arrive in the coming days, with over 80 tons of supplies already delivered or en route by ship. Latron emphasized the urgent need for restoring electricity and ensuring access to safe drinking water.

The French Interior Ministry has also deployed 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers to support the local community and prevent potential looting.

In various parts of Mayotte, entire blocks of metal structures and shacks have been flattened, with residents reporting uprooted trees, overturned boats, and widespread power outages.

Chad Youyou, a resident of Hamjago in northern Mayotte, shared videos on Facebook showcasing the extensive destruction in his village, where nearly every tree had been uprooted.

“Mayotte is utterly devastated… we are completely annihilated,” he mourned.

The cyclone’s destructive path continues into northern Mozambique

Chido continued its track toward northern Mozambique, causing further havoc, while landlocked Malawi and Zimbabwe have issued warnings of possible evacuations due to potential flooding.

In Mozambique, UNICEF reported that Cabo Delgado province, home to around 2 million residents, was among the first areas impacted, with many homes, schools, and healthcare facilities either partially or completely destroyed.

UNICEF Mozambique spokesperson Guy Taylor emphasized the risk of communities becoming isolated from essential educational and health services for weeks, as authorities warned of an increased potential for landslides.

The cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean typically runs from December to March, and southern Africa has faced a series of powerful storms in recent years. Cyclone Idai in 2019 led to over 1,300 fatalities, primarily in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, while Cyclone Freddy resulted in more than 1,000 deaths across multiple countries last year.

These cyclones increase the risks of flooding and landslides, with stagnant water left behind posing threats of waterborne diseases such as cholera, as well as dengue fever and malaria.

Research suggests that the intensity of cyclones is on the rise due to climate change, placing a heavy burden on poorer nations in Africa that contribute minimally to global warming. This highlights the urgent need for support from wealthier countries to help cope with the repercussions of climate change.

—Corbet reported from Paris.