At least 31 people have died after Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar, the island nation’s disaster authority confirmed.
The cyclone made landfall on Tuesday, hitting Toamasina, Madagascar’s main port city. Authorities reported “total chaos,” with houses collapsing and bodies found in the impact zone.
Neighbourhoods were plunged into darkness as power lines snapped. Trees were uprooted, and roofs were ripped off.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the country’s military leader who took power in October, described the scene to AFP:
“What happened is a disaster, nearly 75% of the city of Toamasina was destroyed. The current situation exceeds Madagascar’s capabilities alone.”
According to forecasters at France’s Reunion Island, the cyclone’s landfall is likely one of the most intense recorded in the satellite era for the city.
The destruction is widespread. The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management said many casualties were caused when houses collapsed. Winds reached 250 km/h (155 mph), and around 90% of house roofs were destroyed either partially or entirely, according to Action Against Hunger.
Authorities have evacuated dozens of injured people and hundreds of residents from districts around Toamasina, home to 400,000 people. Residents described terrifying scenes as the cyclone struck.
“I have never experienced winds this violent… The doors and windows are made of metal, but they are being violently shaken,” said local resident Harimanga Ranaivo.
Cyclone Gezani is the second storm to hit Madagascar this year, following Cyclone Fytia, which killed 14 and displaced over 31,000 people just 10 days ago. Ahead of Gezani, officials closed schools and prepared emergency shelters.
By Wednesday morning, Madagascar’s meteorological service reported that Gezani had weakened to a moderate tropical storm, moving westward inland about 100 km north of the capital, Antananarivo. The storm is expected to cross the central highlands before moving out to sea into the Mozambique Channel later today.
Cyclone season in the Indian Ocean around Madagascar typically runs from November to April, producing around a dozen storms each year.
