French Prime Minister François Bayrou Unveils Recovery Plan for Mayotte Following Cyclone Chido's Devastation

French Prime Minister François Bayrou visited Mayotte on Monday to reveal a recovery strategy following the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido. The cyclone struck the Indian Ocean territory three weeks ago, leaving significant damage in its wake. Bayrou, who recently took office, updated the death toll to 39 but warned that the final count could be higher, possibly reaching "a few dozen to a few hundred."

Days after the cyclone hit, Mayotte's prefect, François-Xavier Bieuville, had cautioned that fatalities might number "several hundred or even a few thousand." Bayrou's visit follows French President Emmanuel Macron's trip to the area. Some residents have accused the French government of neglecting Mayotte for a long time.

Recovery Plans and Infrastructure

The prime minister announced plans to restore electricity to all homes by late January. This effort will involve 200 workers and emergency generators. Water production is expected to return to pre-cyclone levels by January 6. Upgrades to the water distribution network are scheduled for completion by mid-2025.

Bayrou also revealed that 200 Starlink antennas would be deployed for emergency communications. Additionally, he mentioned that a draft emergency law aimed at rebuilding Mayotte within two years will be presented to parliament in January.

Housing and Education Challenges

Local authorities have agreed to prohibit the reconstruction of informal settlements. These areas housed many migrants from African countries hoping to reach Europe. The storm destroyed numerous makeshift homes. Education has also been disrupted, with many schools damaged. Classes are set to resume on January 13, with special arrangements for exam students.

Temporary schooling options in mainland France are being considered for affected students. In Mozambique, which was also impacted by Cyclone Chido, the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management reported 94 deaths as of Sunday. Meanwhile, Malawi's presidential office confirmed that their death toll had risen to 13.