A fresh tropical storm has struck Mayotte in the Indian Ocean just weeks after a deadly cyclone which killed at least 39 people and left more than 200 still missing.
The archipelago, off the east coast of Africa between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique, had only just begun the process of rebuilding after the devastation of Cyclone Chido on 14 December.
Some areas reported flooding on Saturday and a red alert has been issued for people to stay in their homes or find a solid shelter, as Tropical Storm Dikeledi approached.
It brought heavy rain and strong winds despite the centre of the storm passing about 100km (62 miles) south of Mayotte, according to French meteorological service Meteo-France.
Authorities in Mayotte said there was a high danger of flooding and landslides across the islands. The red alert remains in force until Monday evening.
A post on X, by the National Gendarmerie, showed military forces deployed to clear fallen trees.
It said the gendarmerie was “fully mobilised after the new bad weather” to protect the population and reopen roads.
National TV station Mayotte la 1ère said the southern village of Mbouini, one of the few in Mayotte spared by Chido, had been flooded and almost totally destroyed by Dikeledi.
Mayotte opened cyclone shelters at schools and community centres while the international airport, which was heavily damaged by Chido, was closed.
Debris covers the village of Kaweni after Chido. File pic: Reuters
Officials said they were taking no chances after the devastation of Chido, which prompted an angry reaction from Mayotte residents.
They vented their frustration at French President Emmanuel Macron when he visited after the disaster.
Chido caused extensive damage in December. File pic: Medecins du Monde/AP
Mayotte’s population have previously accused the French government of neglecting them and the territory, which is the poorest in the European Union.
The clean-up operation after Chido required France to deploy extensive resources. File pic:UIISC7/Securite Civile/Reuters
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The French interior ministry said emergency personnel and security forces had been mobilised for Dikeledi’s arrival.
Much of the focus has been on shantytowns around the capital, Mamoudzou, and other areas largely destroyed by Chido – the worst cyclone to hit Mayotte in 90 years.
An aerial view shows the scale of damage after Chido. File pic: UIISC7/Securite Civile/Reuters
During a visit to the islands two weeks ago, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warned that the final number of dead could total several hundred.
Authorities have faced challenges in recording the deaths and injuries from Chido though.
That is because many of those affected were undocumented migrants, and also because of the Muslim practice of burying people within 24 hours of them dying.
