The death toll from Cyclone Chido has risen to 39 in the French overseas territory of Mayotte, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The storm, which struck Mayotte and then Mozambique earlier this month, has caused widespread devastation across the region.  

Mozambique has reported 94 deaths from the cyclone, while neighboring Malawi has confirmed 13 fatalities.

Authorities in Mayotte have warned that the death toll could rise significantly, with some estimates suggesting thousands may have perished. The storm caused widespread destruction on the island, leaving many areas inaccessible and hampering rescue efforts.  

In Mozambique, the cyclone damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes and caused significant infrastructure damage. The country is still recovering from the devastation of Cyclone Freddy, which struck earlier this year.

Cyclone Chido has had a devastating impact across the region, affecting millions of people. Relief efforts are underway in all affected countries, but the scale of the disaster is immense. (ILKHA)