Cyclone Gezani Ravages Madagascar with Fatal 167mph Winds
Tropical Cyclone Gezani has unleashed catastrophic destruction across Madagascar, resulting in at least 31 confirmed deaths, according to the country's disaster management office. The powerful storm, which made landfall with gusts reaching up to 167mph (270kph), has left four individuals missing and 36 people seriously injured. Additionally, 6,870 residents have been displaced from their homes, with more than 250,000 people officially classified as disaster victims in the aftermath of the cyclone.
Toamasina Bears the Brunt of the Storm's Fury
The island nation's second-largest city, Toamasina, suffered the most severe impacts from Cyclone Gezani. Reports indicate that 29 of the fatalities occurred in this coastal city, where numerous homes collapsed under the intense onslaught of wind and rain. President Michael Randrianirina's office has revealed that approximately 75% of Toamasina's critical infrastructure was completely destroyed by the cyclone. Power supplies have been completely cut off since Tuesday, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Residents described terrifying scenes of devastation as the cyclone tore through their communities. Harimanga Ranaivo, a local resident, expressed shock at the unprecedented violence of the winds: "I have never experienced winds this violent. The doors and windows are made of metal, but they are being violently shaken." Another resident, identified only as Michel, painted a grim picture when reached by phone: "Roofs have been blown away, walls have collapsed, power poles are down, trees have been uprooted. It looks like a catastrophic landscape."
Cyclone Season Intensifies with Back-to-Back Storms
This devastating event comes just days after another tropical cyclone, Tropical Cyclone Fytia, wreaked havoc across Madagascar, claiming 14 lives and displacing 85,000 people. The consecutive storms have overwhelmed emergency response capabilities and highlighted the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the region. Madagascar's cyclone season typically spans from November to March, with meteorological records showing more than a dozen tropical storms or cyclones recorded since 2020 alone.
At its peak intensity, Cyclone Gezani generated sustained winds of 115mph (185kph), powerful enough to tear metal sheeting from roofs and uproot large trees throughout affected areas. Authorities issued red alerts for multiple regions facing imminent threats of floods and landslides as the cyclone approached the coastline.
Uncertain Future as Storm Threatens to Strengthen Again
While Gezani weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland on Wednesday, passing approximately 60 miles north of the capital Antananarivo, forecasters warn of potential re-intensification. The storm is expected to enter the Mozambique Channel, which separates Madagascar from mainland Africa, where environmental conditions might allow it to regain strength. Meteorological models suggest the disturbing possibility of Gezani turning back toward Madagascar's southwest coast, potentially bringing fresh destruction to already vulnerable communities next week.
Weather alerts have also been activated across the channel in Mozambique, where devastating floods last month affected more than 700,000 people. The regional weather pattern appears to be creating consecutive humanitarian crises across southeastern Africa, stretching emergency resources to their limits.
The international community watches with concern as Madagascar confronts this dual challenge of immediate disaster response and preparation for potential further cyclonic activity in the coming days.
