Mayotte: Significant disruptions likely islandwide through late December following passage of cyclone /update 3

Significant disruptions caused by Tropical Cyclone Chido will likely persist through at least late December. The latest official toll indicates that the storm killed at least 31 people and injured 2,432 more, but officials are warning that over 1,000 people may have died. The casualty figure will likely increase in the coming days. As of Dec. 20, officials are maintaining a safeguarding alert amid recovery operations and advised residents to limit travel and avoid areas close to waterways. The latest communiques published by authorities can be found here and meteorological updates here.

• An islandwide 22:00-04:00 curfew implemented Dec. 17 remains in place.

• Officials have warned of the threat of health diseases and are advising people to drink bottled water or to boil tap water. Tap water is now available to about half the population. The provision of food is improving but remains limited.  

• Informal settlements have been severely impacted with widespread damage to residential structures, particularly in the northeast, where more than half of buildings have been damaged or destroyed.

• Disruptions to phone, internet, and electricity services persist. It is unclear when services will be fully restored.

• Dzaoudzi-Pamandzi International Airport (DZA) sustained damage, including to its control tower, and remains closed to commercial flights until further notice. Emergency flights are operating to bring in critical aid and personnel.

• Most roads have been cleared but ground transport remains disrupted, in addition to a lack fuel availability. Officials announced that Kaweni, Majicavo, and Petite-Terre stations are open 07:00-17:00, but fuel is limited to 30 liters per person.

• Commercial barges have reopened for pedestrians.

• Medical services are also limited as the central hospital suffered significant damage. Authorities are setting up mobile medical services, but access may be disrupted due to poor road conditions.

Normal operations and services are likely to take several days or weeks to recover following the impact of the storm. Increased demand for flights once the airport resumes operations is likely. Road disruptions are also likely to persist until officials remove debris and reconnect isolated parts of the island with primary centers. The threat of disease outbreaks cannot be discounted in the coming days and weeks. Backflow from drains that have mixed with floodwaters can become trapped in open areas when inundations recede. These stagnant pools often become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, increasing the incidence of insect- and waterborne diseases. Exposure to contaminated water from inundated industrial sites, sewer systems, and septic tanks also poses a significant health threat. A rise in criminal activity or looting, as well as protests denouncing the government’s response, remain possible.