Mayotte Placed on Red Alert as Cyclone Dikeledi Approaches, Recovery from Cyclone Chido Continues

Mayotte is on red alert again as Cyclone Dikeledi approaches the islands, compounding the devastation from Cyclone Chido that struck a month earlier. Emergency services are prepared for anticipated winds and rain, with possible mudslides posing additional risks. Authorities are determined to protect the densely populated region facing unprecedented storm challenges.

On December 21, 2024, the French territory of Mayotte was placed on red alert for the second consecutive time as Cyclone Dikeledi approached the islands, which are still recovering from the devastating effects of Cyclone Chido. The Prefecture of Mayotte issued the alert at 10 p.m. local time, anticipating Dikeledi’s arrival following its landfall in northern Madagascar. Although the cyclone is predicted to weaken to a strong tropical storm, authorities remain apprehensive about the potential for strong winds and heavy rainfall. Emergency services are prepared to safeguard the population, but the specter of mudslides and additional complications weighs heavily on the densely populated region.

Mayotte, an archipelago located off the east coast of Africa, has recently faced catastrophic storms, particularly Cyclone Chido, recognized as the worst storm in nearly a century. This region, with a population exceeding 320,000 residents, includes approximately 100,000 migrants, many of whom reside in informal settlements that are particularly vulnerable to such disasters. The cyclone season, which extends from November to April, has historically brought significant challenges to the southwestern Indian Ocean region, with Cyclone Idai in 2019 causing extensive casualties across multiple countries.

In conclusion, Mayotte’s current state of red alert highlights the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by this territory as it grapples with the aftereffects of a catastrophic cyclone and the impending threat of another storm. With emergency protocols in place, officials remain vigilant in their efforts to protect residents from the forecasted severe weather, underscoring the critical need for disaster preparedness in cyclone-prone regions.

Original Source: apnews.com