France Sets National Day of Mourning Following Devastating Cyclone Chido
France is set to observe a national day of mourning as Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc in its Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte earlier this month. French President Emmanuel Macron announced this remembrance during his recent visit to the island, where he faced criticism from residents over the sluggish response to aid.
The cyclone made landfall on December 14, unleashing winds reaching 260 km/h (160 mph) and torrential rains of up to 250mm within the initial 24 hours. Reports suggest the death toll could be in the hundreds, with many individuals still unaccounted for.
In solidarity, cities across France—such as Paris, Marseille, and Lyon—will honor the victims by flying flags at half-mast. The aftermath of the cyclone has left many survivors in dire conditions, lacking essential resources including water, communication, and electricity, as rescuers scramble to provide critical assistance.
Mayotte, located between the African mainland and Madagascar, was already one of France’s most underprivileged territories before the cyclone struck. Chido is noted as the most destructive storm to hit the archipelago in nearly a century, obliterating makeshift homes and leaving a landscape of destruction.
Official reports confirm at least 31 fatalities, but the true death toll is expected to rise significantly, with thousands of individuals still missing. Following its devastation of Mayotte, the cyclone impacted the African mainland, claiming at least 94 lives in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi.
During his visit, Macron pledged to restore the island’s infrastructure and housing. After surveying the destruction from a helicopter, he described the experience as unforgettable. However, he faced local backlash, with calls for his resignation over inadequate aid supplies.
Macron emphasized, “I had nothing to do with the cyclone. You can blame me, but it wasn’t me.” Prime Minister François Bayrou characterized the calamity as one of the most severe natural disasters in centuries of French history. With over 100,000 individuals currently residing in Red Cross emergency shelters after losing their homes, the road to recovery is expected to be long and arduous.
