Mayotte placed on purple alert from 7 a.m., the highest level

New indicator of the risks represented by the arrival of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte: the department is placed on purple alert from 7 a.m. This is the highest level of alert, even emergency services will no longer be allowed to go out to help the population. According to the latest information from Météo France: the trajectory of the eye of the cyclone will pass over the north of Mayotte.

Wind gusts between 150 and 200 km/h are expected, as well as heavy rain, with between 100 and 200 mm of rain expected. A sea surge of 50 to 70 cm is forecast as well as several waves in and outside the lagoon. During the passage of the cyclone: ​​”initially, the wind will blow coming from the south“, specifies Météo France. This period will be followed by a deceptive period of calm when the eye of the cyclone passes in the north. Residents may have the impression that the cyclone has passed, which can prove very dangerous because the eye of the cyclone is followed by particularly violent winds.It is imperative to remain confined and sheltered“, recalls the prefecture.

Residents are also invited to take refuge in the safe room of their home and to move away from openings. You must also cut off the electricity and no longer consume tap water. Finally, the prefecture calls for using the telephone only in cases of absolute necessity, to free up the telephone network for emergency services and the authorities.