French President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday after India extended its support in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, a devastating storm that struck the French archipelago of Mayotte on Saturday.
According to Meteo-France, Cyclone Chido was the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in more than 90 years. The catastrophic winds flattened entire neighbourhoods, destroyed electrical grids, and caused significant damage to critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and the airport’s control tower.
Prime Minister Modi had earlier conveyed his condolences, stating, “Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I am confident that under President Emmanuel Macron ’s leadership, France will overcome this tragedy with resilience and resolve. India stands in solidarity with France and is ready to extend all possible assistance.”
Responding to PM Modi’s message, President Macron wrote on social media platform X, “Thank you for your thoughts and support, dear Narendra Modi.”
Thank you for your thoughts and support, dear @NarendraModi.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 17, 2024
Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, wreaked havoc as it swept through the southwestern Indian Ocean over the weekend. The cyclone first impacted northern Madagascar before intensifying rapidly and making landfall in Mayotte with wind speeds exceeding 220 kilometres per hour (136 miles per hour).
The storm, which affected the archipelago of over 300,000 residents, continued its destructive path into northern Mozambique, where it caused additional damage before gradually weakening.
