Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, is grappling with heavy rains that have led to floods and mudslides, following the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido just a month ago. With the recent storm, Dikeledi, authorities have sounded the highest state of alert as threats of violent winds and flash floods loom.
Videos circulating on social media show damaged power lines and flooding, particularly in the southern village of Mbouini, which had previously been spared from Cyclone Chido's wrath. Reports indicate that at least 14,500 residents have sought refuge in emergency shelters set up to ensure their safety amidst the chaos.
François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, emphasized the severity of the situation on French news channel BFMTV, stating that "extremely heavy rains are beginning to trickle down," leading to significant mudslides and initial flooding across the territory.
As Dikeledi moves away, forecasters expect the storm to potentially strengthen into a tropical cyclone. While it's currently tracking south of Mayotte, Mozambique is also on a precautionary watch, recovering from the earlier Cyclone Chido, which claimed 120 lives there.
The aftermath of Cyclone Chido left Mayotte reeling, marking its impact as one of the worst the archipelago has faced in nearly a century, as winds exceeded 260 km/h (160mph), devastating makeshift residences. Although initial death tolls were alarmingly high, the official count was later lowered to 39.
Mayotte, one of France's poorer regions, officially houses around 320,000 residents, but estimates suggest a hidden population of up to 200,000 undocumented migrants living within its borders. The challenges posed by natural disasters, compounded by socioeconomic struggles, continue to test the resilience of this island community.
