Mayotte, France – Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit the French overseas department of Mayotte in nearly a century, has left the island reeling, with a death toll of 31 that authorities fear could climb exponentially.

Experts and residents alike are questioning the French government’s preparedness for such catastrophic events, highlighting failures in climate adaptation as a key factor in the devastation.

The cyclone struck Mayotte on Saturday, bringing ferocious winds, torrential rain, and massive waves. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, with makeshift slums, known locally as “bangas,” proving no match for the storm’s fury.

Tens of thousands of undocumented migrants living in these precarious conditions have been hit hardest, and officials warn that the lack of robust housing could push the death toll into the thousands.

A Fragile Island, Ill-Prepared for Disaster

Mayotte, a French overseas department since 2011, is geographically part of the Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Despite its formal integration into France, the island remains economically and infrastructurally underdeveloped compared to mainland France.

High unemployment, crime rates, and an influx of migrants have exacerbated the island’s vulnerabilities. Experts have pointed to the lack of adequate infrastructure and disaster preparedness as critical failures.

François Gourand, a meteorologist with Météo-France, attributed the storm’s unprecedented strength to unusually warm Indian Ocean waters, a consequence of climate change. He described the cyclone as “super-charged” by the region’s warming waters.

Emily Wilkinson, director of ODI Global’s Resilient and Sustainable Islands initiative, criticized the insufficient disaster planning.

“The island was so fragile,” she said, noting that buildings and emergency protocols were not robust enough to withstand such a powerful storm. “This is a failure of governance and a stark reminder that adaptation measures cannot be an afterthought.”

Local Voices: ‘Second-Class Citizens’

The devastation has left many residents questioning their status as French citizens. Samira Ben Ali, a climate activist from Mayotte, accused the French government of neglecting the island’s needs, describing the response as emblematic of a broader failure to prioritize overseas territories.

“What is happening in Mayotte now is definitely a failure of governance from France,” Ben Ali said. “It really feels like we’re second-class citizens.”

This sentiment is echoed by local officials, who have cited a lack of expertise and resources in accessing climate adaptation funds.

While France has a green fund aimed at bolstering climate resilience in its overseas departments, Mayotte has yet to benefit from these resources.

By the end of 2023, €1.35 million had been allocated to projects in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and La Réunion, but none to Mayotte or French Guiana.

The discrepancy underscores systemic inequities, Wilkinson noted. “Advanced economies like France are not taking adaptation seriously for parts of their territory located in more climate-sensitive regions,” she said.

Cyclone Warnings: Too Little, Too Late

Despite receiving accurate cyclone warnings 50 hours in advance, many Mayotte residents were unable to act. Alerts were issued through emails and news bulletins, but crucial details about evacuation procedures were lacking.

Wilkinson emphasized that effective disaster management requires more than warnings—it demands actionable advice and pre-designated shelters.

“Without clear instructions and pre-checked evacuation centers, people don’t leave their homes,” Wilkinson explained.

Bangladesh, often cited as a model for disaster preparedness, employs local disaster managers to guide residents through evacuation protocols—an approach Wilkinson suggests Mayotte could adopt.

The island’s undocumented migrant population faced additional challenges. Many were hesitant to seek refuge in shelters, fearing arrest and deportation.

This fear underscores the precarious legal and social status of migrants, who make up nearly a third of Mayotte’s population.

Macron Defends Government Response Amid Rising Tensions

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Mayotte on Thursday to assess the damage and address residents’ concerns. Speaking to a crowd of angry locals, Macron defended the government’s response, stating, “There were warnings. The services were there.”

He pledged increased aid, including food and water supplies, and promised to rebuild the island’s infrastructure.

However, Macron acknowledged the strain that migration has placed on Mayotte’s institutions. “France has invested heavily in Mayotte, but its institutions cannot keep up with the arrival of migrants,” he told reporters.

Climate Adaptation: A Global Responsibility

The devastation in Mayotte has reignited debates about the responsibilities of advanced economies toward their overseas territories.

Unlike developing nations, which can access international climate funds such as the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund, Mayotte relies solely on French government support.

Wilkinson highlighted a potential path forward, suggesting that overseas territories could consider ratifying the Paris Agreement to gain access to climate funds. Denmark’s overseas territory of Greenland recently adopted this strategy.

Meanwhile, local and international experts are calling for a comprehensive review of Mayotte’s disaster preparedness. Key recommendations include establishing robust early warning systems, reinforcing buildings, and creating accessible evacuation shelters.

A Tipping Point for Independence?

The disaster has also raised questions about Mayotte’s political future. While discussions of independence are secondary to immediate recovery efforts, Ben Ali warned that inadequate reconstruction efforts could fuel separatist sentiments.

Similar movements have emerged in other French overseas territories, such as New Caledonia, where proposed voting reforms sparked protests.

“The French government must respond with adequate resources and attention to reconstruction,” Wilkinson cautioned. Failure to do so, she warned, could deepen the sense of neglect and spur calls for independence.

Rebuilding Mayotte: A Long Road Ahead

As the island begins the arduous process of recovery, residents are focused on meeting basic needs for food, water, and shelter. Macron has pledged to rebuild homes and infrastructure, but the road to recovery will be long and fraught with challenges.

The devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate adaptation in vulnerable regions.

For Mayotte, the cyclone has laid bare the island’s fragility and the gaps in governance that have left it ill-prepared for an era of more frequent and intense storms.

“Mayotte’s tragedy is a wake-up call for France and the world,” Ben Ali said. “Climate change is here, and we need to act now to protect those who are most vulnerable.”