Cyclone-ravaged Mayotte on red alert for new storm

Less than a month after a catastrophic hurricane wrecked the Indian Ocean archipelago, residents of the French territory of Mayotte braced for a storm on Sunday that was predicted to bring severe gusts and flash floods.

In preparation for the passage of Dikeledi, a storm predicted to pass roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of the territory, Mayotte was put on red alert starting at 1900 GMT on Saturday.

After weakening into a strong tropical storm after striking Madagascar’s northern coast as a cyclone on Saturday night, it is predicted to intensify once more as it approaches Mayotte.

It may be categorized as a cyclone by Monday morning, according to Meteo-France, the French weather authority.

Authorities called for “extreme vigilance” following the devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido in mid-December. 

“Significant rain and wind deterioration is confirmed for the morning” in Mayotte, Meteo-France said in an update just before 6 am local time on Sunday (0300 GMT). 

“Very heavy rains could generate flash floods,” it warned, adding that “floods and landslides are expected in the coming hours”. 

It could also bring wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour to the French territory, as well as “dangerous sea conditions”.

Residents were advised to seek shelter and stock up on food and water.

“Nothing is being left to chance,” Manuel Valls, France’s new overseas territories minister, told AFP.

Cyclone Chido — the most devastating storm to hit France’s poorest department in 90 years — caused colossal damage last month, killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 5,600.

Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the top Paris-appointed official on the territory, said Mayotte was placed on a red weather alert from 1900 GMT on Saturday to allow the public to take shelter. 

“I have decided to bring forward this red alert to 10:00 pm to allow everyone to take shelter, to confine themselves, to take care of the people close to you, your children, your families,” Bieuville said on television.

Messages in French and two regional languages were broadcast on radio and television to alert the population.