According to the French meteorological service, Chido introduced winds exceeding 220 km/h, tearing off the roofs of homes within the archipelago which has a inhabitants of simply over 300,000 and is positioned about 800 km off the coast of Mozambique.
Several individuals have been killed after Cyclone Chido hit the French abroad territory of Mayotte in what authorities say is the worst storm to hit the Indian Ocean island in nearly a century.
According to the French meteorological service, Chido introduced winds exceeding 220 km/h, tearing off the roofs of homes within the archipelago which has a inhabitants of simply over 300,000 and is positioned about 800 km off the coast of Mozambique.
Speaking at an inter-ministerial assembly on the disaster in Paris, French Prime Minister François Bayrou mentioned the short- and medium-term penalties of the storm have been growing danger elements.
“The concern is just not solely concerning the quick time period and the help and help we will present, however additionally it is the medium time period for the provision of water, meals, particularly for essentially the most delicate constructions: prisons, detention facilities. And all this it is clearly a danger issue that is accumulating,” he mentioned.
Earlier on Saturday, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau mentioned a “very provisional” rely confirmed that “some individuals” had been killed however he couldn’t present exact numbers as rescuers have been unable to evaluate the scenario on the bottom.
“In the subsequent few hours and days we will definitely have to review short-term housing options, simply as we can even ship reinforcements from the navy gendarmerie. And clearly we must home them, feed them. But the important wants as we speak, past reduction, reduction is now pressing “he advised reporters on the emergency assembly in Paris.
In a put up on
French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned he was monitoring the scenario intently.
“Our island is hit by essentially the most violent and harmful cyclone since 1934. Many of us have misplaced all the pieces,” Mayotte prefect François-Xavier Bieuville mentioned in a Facebook put up.
He mentioned the excessive alert had been lifted so rescuers may assist after the worst of the cyclone had handed.
The French Interior Ministry mentioned 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers had been deployed to “assist the inhabitants and forestall potential looting”.
Around 110 rescuers and firefighters despatched to Mayotte from France and the neighboring territory of Réunion have been deployed and an additional reinforcement of 140 individuals shall be despatched on Sunday.
French Transport Minister François Durovray mentioned in a message on X that Mayotte airport was “severely broken, particularly the management tower” by the cyclone.
He mentioned the island’s infrastructure had been closely affected and that air site visitors can be reopened solely to navy plane. Ships are used to ship provides.
Mayotte continues to be on pink alert for the inhabitants and folks have been requested to “stay confined to a stable shelter”, mentioned prefect Bieuville.
ANNOUNCEMENTOnly emergency and safety providers have been allowed to depart.
Local broadcaster Mayotte la 1ere mentioned hundreds of houses have been with out electrical energy, tin huts and different small constructions had been swept away and lots of bushes had been felled.
Mayotte is the poorest division in France and has struggled prior to now with drought and a scarcity of funding.
It has additionally struggled to counter gang violence and tensions rose earlier this yr over water shortages.
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