Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte, Leaving at Least 14 Dead

The strongest storm in 90 years has destroyed homes, disrupted essential services, and left hundreds injured on the French Indian Ocean territory.

Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with winds exceeding 220 km/h, causing widespread destruction, particularly in shantytowns where many homes were completely destroyed.
The provisional death toll stands at 14, with nine people critically injured and 246 others seriously hurt, though officials fear the numbers may rise as assessments continue.
Over 15,000 homes have lost electricity, the main airport suffered severe damage, and access to clean water remains a critical challenge for the island's 320,000 residents.
Rescue efforts are underway, with reinforcements from mainland France, including 160 soldiers and firefighters, joining local teams to distribute aid and medical supplies.
Experts have linked the storm's intensity to unusually warm Indian Ocean waters, highlighting the growing impact of climate change on extreme weather events in vulnerable regions.