At least 20 people have died after a powerful cyclone struck Madagascar, states the island's disaster authority. Cyclone Gezani made landfall on Tuesday, hitting the main port city of Toamasina with winds reaching up to 250 km/h (155 mph).
Madagascar's disaster management office reported widespread chaos, with many houses collapsing in the impact zone. Neighborhoods were plunged into darkness as power lines snapped, and trees were uprooted alongside roofs being torn off homes. According to the CMRS cyclone forecaster from France's Reunion island, Gezani's landfall was likely one of the most intense recorded around Toamasina since satellite data collection began.
"Total chaos" has been described by local residents and officials, as 90% of house roofs were severely damaged. The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management indicated that most deaths occurred due to collapsing structures.
In response, Madagascar’s disaster officials have evacuated dozens of injured individuals and several hundred residents from areas surrounding Toamasina, which has a population of 400,000. Residents reported terrifying scenes, with strong winds shaking metal doors and windows as they sheltered in place.
Cyclone Gezani is the second cyclone to impact Madagascar within just over a week, following Tropical Cyclone Fytia, which resulted in 14 fatalities and displaced over 31,000 people. Ahead of Gezani's arrival, government officials closed schools and set up emergency shelters, while meteorologists confirmed that the cyclone weakened to a moderate tropical storm by Wednesday morning as it drifted westward.
Cyclone season in the Indian Ocean typically unfolds from November to April, with Madagascar often experiencing numerous storms each year. The nation's new leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, was seen in Toamasina assessing the damage and coordinating recovery efforts.
Madagascar's disaster management office reported widespread chaos, with many houses collapsing in the impact zone. Neighborhoods were plunged into darkness as power lines snapped, and trees were uprooted alongside roofs being torn off homes. According to the CMRS cyclone forecaster from France's Reunion island, Gezani's landfall was likely one of the most intense recorded around Toamasina since satellite data collection began.
"Total chaos" has been described by local residents and officials, as 90% of house roofs were severely damaged. The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management indicated that most deaths occurred due to collapsing structures.
In response, Madagascar’s disaster officials have evacuated dozens of injured individuals and several hundred residents from areas surrounding Toamasina, which has a population of 400,000. Residents reported terrifying scenes, with strong winds shaking metal doors and windows as they sheltered in place.
Cyclone Gezani is the second cyclone to impact Madagascar within just over a week, following Tropical Cyclone Fytia, which resulted in 14 fatalities and displaced over 31,000 people. Ahead of Gezani's arrival, government officials closed schools and set up emergency shelters, while meteorologists confirmed that the cyclone weakened to a moderate tropical storm by Wednesday morning as it drifted westward.
Cyclone season in the Indian Ocean typically unfolds from November to April, with Madagascar often experiencing numerous storms each year. The nation's new leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, was seen in Toamasina assessing the damage and coordinating recovery efforts.
