Mayotte, French Territory – The French territory of Mayotte was placed on red alert late Saturday as Cyclone Dikeledi approached, less than a month after the islands were devastated by their worst storm in nearly a century.
The Prefecture of Mayotte issued the red alert at 10 p.m. local time in anticipation of Dikeledi’s arrival. The cyclone, which made landfall in northern Madagascar earlier on Saturday, was tracking westward toward Mayotte and was expected to reach the territory early Sunday.
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Preparedness Measures Intensify
Emergency personnel and law enforcement are on high alert as the French Interior Ministry assured that “everything is being put in place to protect the population.” Although Dikeledi is projected to weaken into a strong tropical storm as it nears Mayotte, it is still expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall.
According to Meteo, France’s meteorological service, Dikeledi will likely pass approximately 75 kilometers (46 miles) south of Mayotte. Wind gusts could reach up to 110 kph (68 mph), raising concerns about potential flooding and mudslides.
A Region Still Reeling from Cyclone Chido
The islands have yet to recover from the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido, which struck a month ago with devastating winds exceeding 200 kph (124 mph). Chido caused extensive damage across Mayotte, claiming at least 39 lives and injuring over 2,000 people. However, French Prime Minister François Bayrou, during a recent visit, warned that the final death toll could rise to several hundred.
The cyclone left a trail of destruction, flattening neighborhoods and severely impacting the territory’s vulnerable communities. Mayotte, home to more than 320,000 residents and an estimated 100,000 migrants, saw shantytowns bear the brunt of the storm.
Cyclone Chido also caused over 100 fatalities in Mozambique and Malawi after ravaging Mayotte and making landfall on mainland Africa.
Cyclone Dikeledi’s Impact Expected
While Dikeledi is not forecasted to match Chido’s intensity, the storm’s heavy rains could trigger further devastation, particularly in areas already weakened by the previous cyclone. “Mudslides are a major risk,” said Mayotte Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville, the French government’s top representative in the territory.
Cyclone Season’s Toll
November to April marks cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean, a region increasingly battered by severe storms. In 2019, Cyclone Idai, the deadliest in recent history, claimed over 1,500 lives and affected more than 3 million people across Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
As Mayotte braces for Cyclone Dikeledi, authorities remain vigilant, hoping to mitigate further disaster in a territory still grappling with the scars of Cyclone Chido.
