Comoros Declares National Mourning Following Cyclone Chido’s Devastation
The Comoros has announced a week of national mourning due to Cyclone Chido’s severe impact on the region, particularly on Mayotte. President Azali Assoumani highlighted fears of numerous casualties and immense infrastructural damage. The cyclone, classified as category four, was the worst to strike the region in 90 years, affecting communities where many Comoran nationals reside.
The Comoros, an archipelago located near Mayotte, has declared a week of national mourning following the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido, a category four storm. The cyclone inflicted severe damage on the French overseas territory of Mayotte, leading to fears of “several hundred” fatalities, particularly among the numerous Comoran nationals residing in informal settlements. President Azali Assoumani announced the mourning period would extend until Sunday, as many lives were lost and significant infrastructural damage occurred throughout the islands.
As Cyclone Chido approached on Saturday, it was noted for winds surpassing 220 kilometers per hour (137 miles per hour) and was the most destructive storm to afflict Mayotte in nearly nine decades. The proximity of the two territories—just 70 kilometers (43 miles) apart—has resulted in many Comorans traveling clandestinely to Mayotte, where 95% of the international population consists of Comoran nationals. The impact of Cyclone Chido particularly affected the densely populated areas where many individuals live in makeshift housing, underlining the extent of the disaster’s reach and gravity.
Cyclone Chido is recognized as one of the most powerful storms to affect the Comoros and Mayotte in recent history. The devastation has sparked a national response in the Comoros, as the waves of destruction have been felt deeply by its population. Historically, Mayotte remains a French overseas territory, while Comoros is an independent nation, establishing a complicated relationship due to migration and shared cultural ties. Given the geographical closeness and intertwined communities, the humanitarian implications of the cyclone hold great significance for both territories, resulting in a shared experience of tragedy and loss.
The week of national mourning declared by the Comoros following Cyclone Chido highlights the profound impact of the storm on both the archipelago and its neighboring territory, Mayotte. As the cyclone inflicted unprecedented damage, the solidarity displayed through mourning serves as a poignant reminder of the intertwined fates of the people in this region. The situation calls for humanitarian support and assistance, as recovery efforts will likely be extensive given the scale of devastation.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
