Overview

• Mayotte, the poorest French department, is under a red alert as Tropical Storm Dikeledi is set to pass within 100 km of its southern coast, bringing heavy rainfall and winds up to 130 km/h.
• The storm follows Cyclone Chido, which killed 39 people, injured over 5,600, and destroyed thousands of homes in December 2024, leaving the island's infrastructure severely weakened.
• Authorities have reopened 79 emergency shelters and advised residents to stock up on essentials and stay in solid structures, with all movement banned during the alert period.
• Meteorologists warn of significant risks, including flash floods, landslides, and coastal submersions, due to already saturated and unstable soils from Chido's aftermath.
• Over 700 emergency personnel have been deployed, with extensive communication efforts in French and local languages to ensure residents are prepared for the storm's impact.