A cyclone, identified as Cyclone Chido, has swept through the French Indian Ocean island territory of Mayotte and claimed the lives of at least 14 people, according to a security source who spoke to AFP on Sunday.
Cyclone Chido, also referred to as Chido-25 is a potent tropical cyclone currently being closely monitored in the Southern Indian Ocean.
The storm has triggered significant alerts due to its potential impact on coastal regions. As French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau cautioned, the final death toll could be substantially higher, indicating the possibility of further devastation.
The cyclone’s powerful winds and heavy rainfall swept through Mayotte’s shantytowns destroying properties. The storm’s impact on the island’s infrastructure and residents has been severe.
For those unfamiliar, a cyclone is a large-scale air mass that rotates around a strong centre of low atmospheric pressure. This natural phenomenon can bring catastrophic consequences, as witnessed in Mayotte.
