In brief
Tropical Cyclone Chido, reaching sustained winds of 132 mph, made its way toward Mozambique after inflicting considerable damage in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean. The cyclone has claimed several lives and devastated infrastructure, including an airport.
On Saturday, Chido swept north of Madagascar before directly impacting Mayotte, causing destruction across the region. French authorities, including Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, reported multiple casualties and extensive damage, although precise figures remain unverified. “The island seems devastated,” he stated, confirming that the effects of the storm have been catastrophic.With Mayotte's population of about 300,000, the community now faces significant challenges, including disrupted essential services. Rescue and relief operations are underway, supported by the French government, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing that assistance would be provided to affected areas.As of Sunday morning, Mayotte was still under a red cyclone alert, although local weather services reported that conditions were improving as the cyclone shifted. As Chido approaches Mozambique, meteorological authorities are closely monitoring its path to mitigate further threats from this powerful storm.
