Feb 11 • 15:51 UTC 🇫🇷 France France24

Cyclone Gezani ravages Madagascar, leaving at least 20 dead and much of second city in ruins

Cyclone Gezani has struck Madagascar, causing significant destruction in Toamasina and resulting in at least 20 fatalities.

Cyclone Gezani has wreaked havoc across Madagascar, particularly targeting the city of Toamasina, where it made landfall with winds reaching speeds of 250 kilometers per hour. The cyclone has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, with many casualties attributed to collapsing structures. As the nation assesses the damage, at least 15 others remain unaccounted for, and approximately 33 people have sustained injuries according to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management.

Officials have highlighted the scale of the tragedy, with nearly 75 percent of Toamasina reported to be destroyed by the cyclone's fierce winds and heavy rains. This catastrophic event underscores Madagascar's vulnerability to extreme weather events, particularly as climate change continues to amplify the severity and frequency of such natural disasters in the region. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the new leader of Madagascar, has described the situation as a disaster of significant proportions.

As emergency services mobilize to assist those affected, the nation faces the dual challenge of immediate disaster relief and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of such widespread devastation. The implications of Cyclone Gezani are profound, impacting not only the local populous directly affected but also challenging the country's infrastructure and resource management in dealing with the consequences of climate-related disasters.

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