According to the French meteorological services, Chido brought winds of more than 220 km / h when it reached the coast on Saturday, ripping off the roofs of houses in the archipelago, which has a population of just over 300,000.
Clean-up operations began in the French overseas territory of Mayotte, one day after Cyclone Chidolone crossed the archipelago.
Images released by the French civil defense agency show rescue services and the armed forces clearing debris and trees scattered across the streets.
The French Interior Ministry said it was difficult to get the exact number of deaths and injuries in Mayotte, but so far 11 deaths have been officially confirmed.
However, speaking to a local television station on Sunday, the French governor of Mayotte, François-Xavier Bieuville, said: “I think hundreds are dead, maybe we are close to a thousand.”
The Mayotte hospital said nine people were in critical condition and 246 others were injured.
Cyclone Chido swept through the southeastern Indian Ocean, affecting the nearby islands of Comoros and Madagascar.
Mayotte was directly in the path of the cyclone and caused extensive damage on Saturday, authorities said.
According to the French meteorological services, Chido brought winds of more than 220 km/h, tearing roofs off houses in the archipelago, which has a population of just over 300,000.
In some areas, entire neighborhoods of tents and metal shacks were shaken, and residents reported that many trees were uprooted, boats sank or sank, and electricity supplies were disrupted.
Authorities in Mayotte said this was the worst cyclone to hit the territory in almost a century.
The French Interior Ministry reported that 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers were deployed to “help the population and prevent possible looting.”
More than 100 rescuers and firefighters from France and the neighboring territory of Réunion were deployed to Mayotte and a further reinforcement of 140 people was sent on Sunday.
France also sent aid to the island aboard military planes.
Mayotte is the poorest department in France and is struggling with drought and lack of investment.
It has also been affected by gang violence and tensions escalated earlier this year due to widespread water shortages.
ADVERTISINGThe cyclone has now reached the east coast of Africa, and reaches northern Mozambique.
UNICEF said the province of Cabo Delgado, home to about two million people, has been hit hard.
“UNICEF is concerned about the immediate impact of this cyclone: the loss of life, the damage to schools, people’s homes, health care facilities,” said Guy Taylor, Director of Communications at UNICEF Mozambique.
“We are also concerned about the long-term consequences: children who may be unable to learn for weeks on end, people unable to access health care, and the potential spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera and malaria,” Taylor said.
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