Over 10 dead in Mayotte as Cyclone Chido leaves island devastated

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) — Cyclone Chido has left at least 10 people dead in the French overseas territory of Mayotte, with the death toll expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue, according to local authorities.

The powerful storm, which struck the Indian Ocean island on Sunday, brought torrential rains and winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (124 miles per hour), police said in a livestreamed address to reporters.

Entire neighborhoods have been flattened, particularly in informal settlements, and key infrastructure has sustained significant damage.

Local authorities described the situation as catastrophic, with power outages affecting thousands and many roads rendered impassable by debris.

Schools, hospitals, and government facilities have also been severely impacted, hampering relief efforts.

French and local emergency response teams have been deployed to Mayotte to responde to the situation.

The cyclone's impact has also been felt in neighboring regions, including the Comoros and northern Madagascar, where authorities are assessing additional damage and casualties.