Mayotte Faces Renewed Threat of Flooding and Mudslides from Recent Storm

Mayotte grapples with heavy rains and the risk of mudslides following Cyclone Chido, as the newly-formed storm Dikeledi approaches the region, prompting state-wide alerts.

The French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte is contending with yet another round of severe weather, as heavy rains ignite fears of renewed flooding and mudslides, just one month after Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc on the islands, claiming dozens of lives. In anticipation of the storm's impact, authorities placed the archipelago on high alert due to dangerous winds, flash floods, and landslides, with the situation exacerbated by alarming reports and social media footage showcasing downed power lines and inundated areas.

Local media reported significant flooding in the southern village of Mbouini, which had previously escaped the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido. The latest storm, named Dikeledi, made its presence known in northern Madagascar, leading to at least three fatalities as it transited through the region. Meteorological forecast agency Météo-France noted that Dikeledi passed about 100 km (62 miles) south of Mayotte early Sunday morning.

"Extremely heavy rains are beginning to trickle down," stated François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, during an interview with French news channel BFMTV. He mentioned that the territory was already experiencing initial flooding and alarming mudslides. Continued heavy rainfall is anticipated even after the storm has moved, indicating that the region will likely remain on red alert until Monday evening.

In response to the tempestuous conditions, at least 14,500 residents sought refuge in emergency shelters established to safeguard the community from the storm. As of Sunday afternoon, reports indicated that Dikeledi was moving away from Mayotte, while Météo-France projected a potential strengthening into tropical cyclone status as it heads toward Mozambique's coastline. Currently, forecasts do not suggest a direct landfall in Mozambique; however, the Nampula region is expected to endure "very degraded conditions" in the aftermath.

Mayotte, recognized as one of France's most impoverished regions, hosts an estimated 320,000 residents, alongside authorities' estimates of up to 200,000 undocumented migrants. Last month’s Cyclone Chido marked a grim chapter as it swept across Mayotte, bringing with it devastating winds of up to 260 km/h (160 mph) and obliterating communities that predominantly relied on substandard housing. Initial casualty statistics suggested several hundred fatalities, but subsequent reviews adjusted the official death toll to 39.