Comoros has begun a week of mourning after Cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte, leading to fears of hundreds of casualties among a vulnerable population. The storm, classified as category four, has severely damaged infrastructure, leading to significant humanitarian concerns, including shortages of food and water. Rescue efforts are underway, but the situation remains critical amidst complexities regarding undocumented migrants.
On Monday, the Comoros declared a week of national mourning following the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido on the nearby island of Mayotte, with fears of significant casualties among the shantytown population. President Azali Assoumani announced that the mourning period will extend through Sunday as many individuals lost their lives in the storm characterized by winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour, causing extensive damage to infrastructure in Mayotte.
Cyclone Chido has been classified as a category four storm and is reported to be the most severe cyclone to strike Mayotte in nearly a century. With an official population of approximately 320,000, a large proportion consists of Comoran nationals who have migrated to the island under varying circumstances, including clandestinely in canoes. A government source indicated that the destruction of shantytowns suggests a potential death toll in the hundreds, or possibly thousands, complicating rescue efforts due to disrupted communication lines and damaged infrastructure.
The French government is dispatching military assets to facilitate rescue operations, with significant emphasis on clearing debris to allow aid access. Local officials have raised grave concerns regarding essential services, indicating that electricity and water shortages are adversely affecting the population’s well-being, with reports of increasing hunger.
Mayotte stands as the poorest region within the European Union, home to a predominantly Muslim population. Rescue operations are further challenged due to the difficulty of tracking undocumented residents who may have perished in the cyclone. Individuals traditionally are buried within 24 hours in accordance with local customs, impeding thorough death toll assessments. Rescue teams and necessary supplies are being coordinated from both France and Reunion to expedite relief efforts.
The devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte has prompted significant humanitarian concerns, especially as the nearby Comoros enters a period of mourning. Mayotte, which remains a French territory, is densely populated and hosts a substantial migrant community, many of whom are from the Comoros. The cyclone’s ferocity is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in the region, where many live in precarious housing conditions. The disaster poses grave challenges for recovery efforts due to infrastructural damage and the complexities surrounding undocumented migrants.
In summary, the national mourning declared by the Comoros highlights the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the wake of Cyclone Chido’s destruction in Mayotte. The estimated casualties pose daunting challenges for recovery and aid operations, particularly for the vulnerable populations in shantytowns. While the French government is mobilizing resources to assist with ongoing relief efforts, the situation remains dire as authorities grapple with the extensive infrastructure damage and the complex demographics of the affected regions.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
