When Cyclone Chido lands over Petite-Terre, the smaller island of Mayotte, it is instantly clear how much damage has been caused.
After the storm ripped through the islands on Saturday, it’s difficult to overstate how damaged the landscape is in this French enclave in the Indian Ocean.
Once covered with coconut trees, rolling slopes now appear bare and ebony. Tree trunks are horizontal and their leaves have been blown off.
The 220km winds have damaged the airport’s signal tower.
Even the closest airport hotel, a sturdy building and one of the only locations on the island with functional electricity and wi-fi, has broken windows and a severely damaged roof.
In Mayotte, tens of people are without water due to curfews.
