Mayotte Faces New Flooding and Mudslides After Cyclone Chido's Aftermath

Following the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido, Mayotte is once again engulfed in severe weather conditions, with heavy rains leading to flooding and mudslides, prompting authorities to issue red alerts for the region.

Mayotte is staring down the barrel of another environmental crisis as it grapples with the effects of storm Dikeledi just weeks after Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc across the territory, causing loss of life and widespread destruction. As of Sunday morning, the French Indian Ocean territory was placed on its highest state of alert due to the latest heavy rains, which experts warn could lead to violent winds, flash floods, and dangerous landslides.

Locals have taken to social media, posting alarming videos of downed power lines and significant flooding in various regions. Reports indicate that the southern village of Mbouini, previously untouched by Cyclone Chido, has now been submerged. The grim situation follows the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido last month, which resulted in numerous fatalities and destruction of infrastructure.

The storm, which made landfall in northern Madagascar on Saturday, has reportedly claimed at least three lives. Météo-France, the French meteorological service, reported that Dikeledi passed about 100 km south of Mayotte around 09:00 GMT, causing intense horizontal rain to start affecting the islands. François-Xavier Bieuville, Mayotte's prefect, communicated the urgency of the situation in an interview with French news channel BFMTV, outlining the immediate dangers of flooding and mudslides.

Authorities are preparing for the worst, with heavy rains projected to persist even after the storm moves away, keeping the island on red alert until at least Monday evening. Already, approximately 14,500 individuals have sought refuge in emergency shelters, highlighting the precarious living conditions in the territory, which is one of France's poorest regions.

With an estimated population of 320,000 and a hidden demographic of up to 200,000 undocumented migrants, Mayotte faces significant challenges in community support and recovery efforts. The island is still reeling from the harrowing impact of Cyclone Chido, which was initially deemed one of the most devastating storms to hit the area in nearly a century, with reported wind speeds reaching 260 km/h (160 mph) and an initially inflated casualty estimate that was later revised down to 39.

As Mayotte prepares to confront another storm, the affected residents are bracing themselves for what many hope will not be another catastrophic chapter in their ongoing struggle against nature's fury.