Authorities in the French territory of Mayotte predict the death toll from Cyclone Chido could reach several hundred and maybe into the thousands. It's being described as the worst storm to hit the islands in the Indian Ocean in a decade, leaving a trail of devastation.
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00:00Residents of Mayotte seek shelter from Cyclone Shido, as it made landfall on the French island
00:07in the Indian Ocean.
00:12The storm hit France's porous overseas territory with winds of 222km per hour.
00:17Being described as the strongest in 90 years, it caused extensive damage, flattening entire
00:23towns, cutting power to more than 15,000 homes, tearing roofs off buildings and uprooting
00:29trees.
00:46The precise death toll of the disaster is unknown, but it's expected to reach several
00:50hundred people and may run into the thousands, according to a top local official.
01:00Rescued crews are on the ground searching for survivors, while 1,600 police and firefighters
01:21have been deployed to help recovery in the island with a population of 320,000.
01:30A plane load of aid, including food, water and emergency supplies, is being rushed to
01:37the French island, and President Emmanuel Macron, who is in Corsica meeting the Pope,
01:42has promised to continue providing the assistance.
01:53As residents here come to terms with the aftermath, Cyclone Shido is now bringing further devastation
01:59as it slams into neighbouring Mozambique.
02:02And with concerns growing in Mayotte about the lack of access to shelter, food, water
02:06and sanitation, survivors know there are more challenges ahead as they confront this widespread
02:12destruction.
02:14James Lin and Rosie Greninger for Taiwan Plus.