Mayotte remains on high alert as tropical storm Dikeledi poses ongoing threats, following its impact on Madagascar. The territory is still recovering from a recent devastating cyclone that caused significant destruction and loss of life. Local authorities emphasize the fragility of the region while emergency measures are in place to support affected individuals and ensure public safety.
Officials in Mayotte have issued warnings regarding the ongoing threat posed by a tropical storm, despite it starting to move away from the region. This comes in the wake of heavy rains and flooding that have already claimed three lives in Madagascar. Having recently experienced a devastating cyclone, Mayotte remains in a vulnerable state, as noted by France’s Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, who emphasized the violent impact of the recent storm, while saluting the fact that no casualties had been reported on Mayotte itself. The storm, named Dikeledi, has been downgraded from a cyclone but is still causing significant concern.
On Saturday evening, the storm made landfall on Madagascar’s northern coast and has since weakened to a severe tropical storm but continues to pose risks as it heads toward Mozambique. As of the latest reports, Mayotte has been placed under red alert, a status that will remain until Monday evening. Floriane Ben Hassen, director of Meteo France in Mayotte, confirmed that Dikeledi still represents a threat to the territory, although the storm was moving away.
The situation on Mayotte remains precarious, especially following last month’s cyclone, which resulted in catastrophic devastation, killing numerous individuals and displacing thousands. The prefect of Mayotte, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, highlighted the fragility of the territory and acknowledged reports of flooding affecting several villages. Local residents have experienced severe damage to their homes, including significant roof loss and flooding. Emergency services continue to respond to the aftermath of the storm, with widespread flooding reported across the region. Access restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of the residents and to facilitate rescue operations.
Additionally, Dikeledi has impacted Madagascar severely, where at least three fatalities and damage to over 900 residents have been recorded. The storm’s effects have primarily hit the northern Antsiranana province, intensifying the challenges for local disaster management agencies. Mayotte’s population, officially around 320,000 but with an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 undocumented residents, has been urged to heed safety protocols during this precarious time.
Ongoing efforts to provide shelter are underway, with over 80 accommodation centers established to house approximately 14,500 displaced individuals, offering a semblance of security amid the tumultuous climate. As the storm continues its path towards Mozambique, local authorities in Mayotte remain on high alert, determined to safeguard the well-being of the population.
The region of Mayotte, a French overseas territory located in the Indian Ocean, has recently experienced significant climate-related disasters, such as cyclones and tropical storms, which have raised concerns over the population’s safety and well-being. In December, the territory was devastated by Cyclone Chido, marking the most severe storm the island had encountered in nearly a century, leading to substantial loss of life and property. The historical context of such adverse weather phenomena is critical to understanding the current vulnerability of Mayotte amid ongoing climatic instabilities, as the population navigates through the aftermath of prior disasters while facing new threats from subsequent storms.
In summary, while Mayotte continues to manage the repercussions of previous natural calamities, the territory now finds itself on high alert due to the tropical storm Dikeledi, which has the potential to exacerbate already existing vulnerabilities. Local officials emphasize the importance of safety protocols as emergency services mobilize to assist those affected by flooding. The coordinated response serves to safeguard the well-being of residents as they cope with ongoing threats from climate events in this fragile region.
Original Source: www.tiogapublishing.com
