French PM Assesses Cyclone Chido Impact on Mayotte, Downplaying Fatality Estimates

In the wake of Cyclone Chido's devastation in Mayotte, French Prime Minister François Bayrou reassures that fatalities will be in the dozens rather than the thousands initially feared. As recovery efforts continue, survivors face ongoing challenges while authorities work to assess the true impact of the disaster.

Mayotte, the French Indian Ocean territory, has faced significant devastation following Cyclone Chido, which struck on December 14. French Prime Minister François Bayrou's recent statements on BFMTV have suggested that the number of deaths will likely be in the dozens rather than the thousands previously anticipated.

This assertion comes amid a confirmed death toll of 35 from the cyclone, though localized authorities, including prefect François-Xavier Bieuville, had initially projected that fatalities could reach "several hundred" and potentially into the thousands. Bieuville took to France Info radio to clarify his remarks, emphasizing that he had not intended to create alarm but had simply lacked accurate figures immediately following the disaster.

The recovery process in Mayotte has faced obstacles due to the inaccessibility of many areas and customs surrounding the burial of victims within a short timeframe. The population of Mayotte is difficult to ascertain, with official estimates indicating around 320,000 residents, but some officials suggest that undocumented migrants could add an additional 100,000 to 200,000 individuals to this figure.

Prime Minister Bayrou expressed confidence that casualty numbers would not be as dire as initially feared, stating, “I think [the number of dead] will be in the dozens and not in the thousands.” The cyclone, which unleashed winds exceeding 260 km/h (160 mph), was described as the most devastating storm to impact the territory in nearly a century, impacting many who live in makeshift shelters.

In a gesture of solidarity, France observed a national day of mourning following the cyclone’s aftermath. President Emmanuel Macron visited the stricken region last week, where he faced vocal frustrations from residents demanding increased relief for the hardest-hit areas. As recovery efforts progress, challenges persist; many survivors went without basic amenities such as water, electricity, and communication for up to a week. Fortunately, authorities have reconfirmed that water supplies are being restored, and a field hospital was expected to become operational shortly after.

After wreaking havoc in Mayotte, Cyclone Chido has continued its path toward continental Africa, resulting in further losses—120 dead in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi—highlighting the severe toll of this natural disaster across the region.