French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday after India extended support in the aftermath of cyclone Chido, a devastating storm that struck the French archipelago of Mayotte on Saturday.
According to Meteo-France, Cyclone Chido is the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in over 90 years. The catastrophic winds flattened entire neighborhoods, destroyed electrical grids, and severely damaged critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and the airport’s control tower.
Prime Minister Modi had earlier expressed his condolences, saying, “Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I am confident that under President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership, France will overcome this tragedy with resilience and resolve. India stands in solidarity with France and is ready to extend all possible assistance.”
Responding to PM Modi’s message, President Macron said, “Thank you for your thoughts and support, dear Narendra Modi.”
Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, caused extensive damage as it swept through the southwestern Indian Ocean over the weekend. The cyclone first impacted northern Madagascar before intensifying rapidly and making landfall in Mayotte, with wind speeds exceeding 220 km/h (136 mph).
The storm, which affected the archipelago of over 300,000 residents, continued its destructive path into northern Mozambique, where it caused further damage before gradually weakening.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou commented during an inter-ministerial meeting, “Everyone understands that this was an unexpectedly violent cyclone.”
The toll from the storm has been staggering, with officials fearing fatalities could reach the thousands. Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville stated, “I think there will definitely be several hundred, perhaps we will come close to a thousand or even several thousand deaths,” as reported by broadcaster Mayotte la Premiere.
Initial reports confirmed at least 11 deaths, but the numbers are expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) expressed concern on Tuesday about more than 200 of its volunteers feared missing in Mayotte after Cyclone Chido devastated the islands.
“Winds of up to 220 km/h caused by Cyclone Chido have devastated the French overseas territory of Mayotte. It’s feared that more than 200 … volunteers are missing,” the IFRC said on X.
(IANS)