At least 9 dead in Madagascar as Tropical Cyclone Gezani hits the Indian Ocean island

Tropical Cyclone Gezani wreaked havoc in Madagascar as it made landfall in the country’s main port city, Toamasina. With wind speeds exceeding 195 kph (121 mph), the cyclone caused widespread destruction, collapsing houses and claiming the lives of at least nine people. This natural disaster comes less than two weeks after Madagascar was hit by another deadly cyclone, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.

The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management reported that buildings collapsed in Toamasina, leaving at least nine people dead and 19 others injured. President Michael Randrianirina, who assumed power following a military coup in October, visited the affected areas to assess the damage and provide support to residents. The scenes of devastation captured in videos shared on social media depicted flooded neighborhoods, damaged homes and shops, uprooted trees, and debris scattered across the streets.

Residents of Toamasina described the aftermath of the cyclone as catastrophic, with roofs torn off, walls crumbling, power lines down, and extensive damage to infrastructure. The city has been without electricity since the cyclone struck, adding to the challenges faced by the affected population.

As Cyclone Gezani moved westward across Madagascar, it weakened to a tropical storm but continued to pose a threat of flooding in several regions, including the capital, Antananarivo. The country’s vulnerability to cyclones is further exacerbated by its geographical location and limited resources to respond to natural disasters.

Madagascar, one of the world’s poorest countries, has been repeatedly hit by cyclones and tropical storms in recent years, causing significant damage to infrastructure and hindering the nation’s development. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction estimates that these weather events result in approximately $85 million worth of damage annually.

Looking ahead, forecasts indicate that Cyclone Gezani may re-intensify as it moves into the Mozambique Channel and potentially loop back towards Madagascar’s southwest coast. This ongoing threat underscores the urgent need for preparedness and resilience-building measures to mitigate the impact of future cyclones on the vulnerable population of Madagascar.

The cycle of destruction and recovery from natural disasters in Madagascar underscores the importance of international support and solidarity in assisting the country to build back better and strengthen its resilience to future climate-related challenges.