The French territory of Mayotte has been placed on red alert as Cyclone Dikeledi heads towards the islands off the coast of Africa. This comes just weeks after the region was hit by its worst storm in nearly a century, causing widespread devastation.
The Prefecture of Mayotte issued a red alert warning in preparation for the arrival of Cyclone Dikeledi, which had made landfall in northern Madagascar and was moving west towards Mayotte. Emergency personnel and law enforcement are on high alert, with measures being put in place to protect the population.
Although Dikeledi is expected to weaken to a strong tropical storm as it nears Mayotte, it is still forecasted to bring strong winds and heavy rain. Wind gusts of up to 110 kph are expected, with the cyclone passing approximately 75 kilometers to the south of Mayotte.
The impact of Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte a month ago, is still being felt as the region has not yet fully recovered. The cyclone caused extensive damage, resulting in at least 39 fatalities and over 2,000 injuries. The final death toll is feared to be much higher, with authorities warning it could reach several hundred.
Mayotte, a densely populated archipelago with over 320,000 residents, is also home to an estimated 100,000 migrants. Many people in the region live in precarious shantytowns, which were severely affected by Cyclone Chido.
While Cyclone Dikeledi is not expected to be as powerful as Chido, the risk of mudslides remains high due to the anticipated heavy rainfall. The French government's top official on the islands, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, emphasized the need for caution and preparedness.
Cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean typically occurs from November to April, with the region having experienced a series of strong cyclones in recent years. The memory of Cyclone Idai in 2019, which claimed over 1,500 lives and affected millions of people, serves as a stark reminder of the destructive potential of these natural disasters.
As Mayotte braces for the impact of Cyclone Dikeledi, authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant and follow safety guidelines to minimize the risk to life and property.
