Macron visits Mayotte, thousands still missing after storm

When Cyclone Chito made landfall on Isla Petit Terre, Mayotte’s smaller island, the extent of its devastation was immediately apparent.

It is difficult to overstate the extent to which the French Indian Ocean territory’s landscape was completely devastated when a storm swept over the island on Saturday.

The rolling hills that were once covered with coconut palms now look barren and black. The leaves are blown off by the wind and the trunk is horizontal.

The airport’s signal tower has been damaged by 220-kilometer winds.

Even the nearest airport hotel – a solid structure and one of the few places on the island with wifi and electricity – had badly damaged roofs and shattered windows.

French officials have reported at least 31 deaths, but thousands are still missing and there are fears the death toll could rise sharply.

A state of special natural disaster has been declared in the region, one of France’s poorest regions with many residents living in shantytowns.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived on Mayotte’s other main island of Grande Terre on Thursday morning with four tons of food and medical aid, where there were similar scenes of destruction.

But as he surveyed the damage, some said the extent of the damage was a direct result of his lack of investment in the island.

With his government currently in disarray and France raging in debate over immigration, Mayotte finds itself at the center of a storm, both political and natural.

The island’s thousands of illegal immigrants have long been a problem for the French government, and some in France now believe that providing too much help to the territory will encourage more migrants to come.

Meanwhile, residents in France’s poorest areas are still waiting for food, water and shelter.

When we landed, the rain was pouring down and the buildings were flooded with roofs blown off.

This is just one example of some of the difficulties Mayotte residents have been facing for nearly a week.

The state of emergency declared in Mayotte is for French overseas territories and is intended to overcome administrative obstacles in order to respond to the crisis faster and more effectively.

It is activated for one month but can be extended for two months if needed.

François-Noël Buffett, Minister for Overseas Territories, said: “Faced with this extraordinary situation, special resources must be deployed to quickly restore vital services and implement a plan for the sustainable reconstruction of Mayotte.”

Emergency services have been delivering food and water and clearing roads while also racing to find the missing.

Health workers fear the infectious disease could spread as residents report shortages of clean drinking water and stores are rationing supplies.

Authorities said their first priority was getting damaged water plants back into operation.

Half the territory is still without electricity. New curfew imposed People were asked to stay at home for six hours overnight to prevent looting.

Desire – Worst storm to hit islands in 90 years – Winds of more than 225 km/h (140 mph) on Saturday flattened areas where people lived in shacks with sheet metal roofs, leaving a trail of mud and debris.

After Mayotte, the storm hit the African continent, killing at least 45 people in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi.