Mayotte faces devastation as Tropical Storm Dikeledi hits, following Cyclone Chido's destruction Ignored by French Authorities

Mayotte, France’s poorest overseas department, is facing an ongoing crisis as Tropical Storm Dikeledi hit the archipelago on January 12, adding to the devastation left by Cyclone Chido just weeks earlier.

The storm brought heavy rains, powerful winds, and widespread flooding, prompting the prefecture to issue a red alert and instruct residents to stay indoors, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The latest disaster has exacerbated the struggles of Mayotte, where the toll of Cyclone Chido—39 dead, 5,000 injured, and 200 missing—has already overwhelmed the island’s fragile infrastructure. The cyclone had left the international airport inoperable and displaced many residents, with thousands still without shelter, particularly in the makeshift shantytowns around Mamoudzou.

Despite promises of support from France, the island’s population has voiced growing frustration at what they perceive as systemic neglect from the French government. The repeated natural disasters have underscored long-standing issues of inadequate investment and insufficient disaster preparedness. Emergency services are under-resourced, and the local population remains particularly vulnerable as they continue to cope with the fallout from these compounded crises.

President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Mayotte following Cyclone Chido was met with criticism, as residents raised concerns about the island's neglect over the years, demanding more substantial support and intervention.

The continuing crisis highlights France’s failure to adequately address the needs of its overseas territories, leaving Mayotte ill-equipped to tackle the growing challenges of climate change and extreme weather.

The storm’s aftermath leaves the island grappling with both immediate and long-term challenges, underscoring the urgent need for greater investment in disaster resilience and infrastructure to protect Mayotte’s residents from future disasters.

By Aghakazim Guliyev