PARIS — French military personnel brought food and water to the inhabitants of Mayotte as the French overseas territory continue to deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido. Chido is the worst storm to hit the island in 90 years and brought with it wind speeds exceeding 220 kph as it made landfall on Saturday.

The shipment contained bottled water, canned food and basic first aid kits to address some of the island’s most pressing needs in the early days of recovery.

Troops distributed food and water to victims of the cyclone, many who’ve been displaced as the rushing winds destroyed their homes.

French authorities say the distribution of 23 tonnes of water began on Wednesday. The availability of clean drinking water continues to be a major problem for Mayotte’s residents.

French authorities described the tragic event as a “catastrophe of exceptional intensity”, as Chido ripped Mayotte’s roads, telecom and electricity grids, properties and other civilian infrastructure.

More than a thousand are still missing with search and rescue operations still ongoing. Authorities say the official death toll currently stands at 31, but hundreds are already presumed dead.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou says some 1,500 people were injured, more than 200 of them in critical condition. But authorities say about a third of the archipelago’s 300,000 population are living in a “precarious situation”.

The Muslim practice of performing burials within 24 hours could mean the real death toll is significantly higher. Mayotte’s population registry lists 95% of the island’s inhabitants as Sunni Muslims.

Some survivors and aid groups assisting with rescue efforts say the stench of decaying bodies has pervaded parts of the island. That, coupled with the endless piles of rubble from destroyed buildings is making it difficult to determine the number of dead.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to arrive in Mayotte on Thursday. In an emergency meeting on Monday, Macron gathered key government officials where he announced Paris will mobilize all emergency relief and resources to help Mayotte’s recovery.

His visit aims to show solidarity with the inhabitants of the devastated island. The French leader says more aid will arrive soon and reiterated Paris’ commitment to Mayotte’s recovery. — Euronews