Cyclone Chido kills 14 in French territory of Mayotte

Cyclone Chido has left a trail of devastation on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, claiming at least 14 lives, with officials warning the toll may rise as rescue operations continue.  

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described the situation as dire, noting that the densely populated shantytowns bore the brunt of the storm’s fury. The cyclone, also referred to as Chido-25, unleashed destructive winds and torrential rain, leaving emergency services scrambling to assess the scale of the damage and deliver urgent aid to survivors.  

Now tracking toward Mozambique’s coastline, the storm has raised alarms across mainland Africa, with alerts issued in the Southern Indian Ocean. Authorities are monitoring Chido’s trajectory and intensity closely as concerns grow over potential impacts in the region.  

Mayotte remains in a state of shock as rescue efforts intensify, with hopes pinned on containing the disaster’s toll and aiding those left in its wake.