In brief
The once-green landscape has turned barren, with residents grappling with food and water shortages amid a state of emergency.
Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life. Arriving on the smaller island of Petite-Terre, BBC’s Mayeni Jones reports scenes of "complete devastation," with lush coconut tree-covered hills now barren and blackened. Winds clocking in at a staggering 220 km/h have mangled infrastructure, including the local airport's signal tower and hotel facilities that used to provide essential services like Wi-Fi and electricity. At least 31 lives have been lost so far, with thousands still unaccounted for. In response, French officials have declared a state of exceptional natural disaster, as many residents already lived in precarious conditions. President Emmanuel Macron visited the island to deliver much-needed aid, but his government faces criticism over long-term neglect, with some arguing disaster relief might inadvertently encourage the influx of illegal migrants.Food, water, and shelter remain scarce as recovery efforts struggle to keep pace. Emergency services are working to restore vital services and provide relief as a curfew is imposed to prevent looting. Health officials are alarmed by a potential rise in infectious diseases due to contaminated water sources, just as the storm continues to impact the mainland, causing more casualties in Mozambique and Malawi. As Mayotte begins to grapple with this unprecedented disaster, its residents desperately await assistance.
