Mayotte is facing a new tropical storm, Dikeledi, just weeks after Cyclone Chido caused extensive destruction, killing at least 39 individuals. Residents are advised to stay indoors as expectations of severe weather loom. The recovery from the prior cyclone has been challenging, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters during cyclone season.
The French territory of Mayotte has been struck by another tropical storm, named Dikeledi, merely weeks after experiencing the catastrophic effects of Cyclone Chido, which devastated the islands. Authorities have ordered residents to remain indoors, prepare emergency supplies, and seek shelter as the storm brings heavy rainfall and strong winds, raising fears of flooding and landslides. Just earlier in December, Cyclone Chido resulted in at least 39 confirmed deaths, with numerous individuals still unaccounted for amid widespread destruction. Following Chido’s landfall, the neighborhood of Mamoudzou and surrounding areas were particularly hard hit, prompting a significant recovery effort. Dikeledi, which had previously intensified over Madagascar before weakening, is anticipated to pose additional risks to the population and infrastructure of Mayotte.
Mayotte, an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean, serves as a French overseas department and is the poorest territory within the European Union. The region is prone to severe weather during the cyclone season, which extends from November to April. Cyclone Chido was the most devastating storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century. It inflicted substantial damages and losses, leading to an outcry from residents who perceived a lack of adequate government response. The recent arrival of Tropical Storm Dikeledi underscores the ongoing vulnerability of Mayotte to natural disasters, exacerbating existing recovery challenges following the previous cyclone.
The dual impact of Cyclone Chido and Tropical Storm Dikeledi has intensified the plight of Mayotte’s residents, illustrating the region’s fragility to severe weather events. With authorities mobilizing significant military and emergency resources, there is an urgent need for effective disaster preparedness and recovery strategies to protect the local population, especially those living in precarious conditions. The situation remains precarious as weather patterns evolve and recovery efforts are underway.
Original Source: www.wral.com
