At least 20 people have died after a powerful cyclone struck Madagascar, says the disaster authority in the Indian Ocean island. Cyclone Gezani made landfall on Tuesday, hitting the island's main port, Toamasina. Madagascar's disaster management office reported 'total chaos'—houses collapsed in the impact zone where bodies were found. Neighbourhoods were plunged into darkness as power lines snapped, trees were uprooted, and roofs were ripped off. The cyclone's landfall is likely to have been one of the most intense recorded around the city in the satellite era, according to the CMRS cyclone forecaster on France's Reunion island.
The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management stated many fatalities occurred when houses collapsed. Cyclone Gezani hit Toamasina— the country's second-largest city— with winds reaching 250 km/hour (155 mph). 'It's total chaos; 90% of house roofs have been blown off, entirely or in part,' said Rija Randrianarisoa, head of disaster management at Action Against Hunger. The disaster management office has evacuated dozens of injured people and hundreds from a district around Toamasina, home to approximately 400,000 people.
Residents described scenes of chaos during the cyclone's impact. 'I have never experienced winds this violent... The doors and windows are made of metal, but they are being violently shaken,' said Harimanga Ranaivo to Reuters.
Gezani is the second cyclone to hit Madagascar this year, arriving just ten days after tropical cyclone Fytia, which resulted in 14 deaths and displaced over 31,000 people, according to the UN's humanitarian office. Ahead of the cyclone's arrival, officials shut down schools and prepared emergency shelters.
By Wednesday morning, Madagascar's meteorological service indicated that Gezani had weakened to a moderate tropical storm and had moved westward inland, about 100 km (60 miles) north of the capital, Antananarivo.
Officials stated, 'Gezani will cross the central highlands from east to west today before moving out to sea into the Mozambique Channel this evening or tonight.' The country's new leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who seized power in October, assessed the situation in Toamasina on Wednesday morning.
Cyclone season in the Indian Ocean around Madagascar typically lasts from November to April, with around a dozen storms occurring each year.
The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management stated many fatalities occurred when houses collapsed. Cyclone Gezani hit Toamasina— the country's second-largest city— with winds reaching 250 km/hour (155 mph). 'It's total chaos; 90% of house roofs have been blown off, entirely or in part,' said Rija Randrianarisoa, head of disaster management at Action Against Hunger. The disaster management office has evacuated dozens of injured people and hundreds from a district around Toamasina, home to approximately 400,000 people.
Residents described scenes of chaos during the cyclone's impact. 'I have never experienced winds this violent... The doors and windows are made of metal, but they are being violently shaken,' said Harimanga Ranaivo to Reuters.
Gezani is the second cyclone to hit Madagascar this year, arriving just ten days after tropical cyclone Fytia, which resulted in 14 deaths and displaced over 31,000 people, according to the UN's humanitarian office. Ahead of the cyclone's arrival, officials shut down schools and prepared emergency shelters.
By Wednesday morning, Madagascar's meteorological service indicated that Gezani had weakened to a moderate tropical storm and had moved westward inland, about 100 km (60 miles) north of the capital, Antananarivo.
Officials stated, 'Gezani will cross the central highlands from east to west today before moving out to sea into the Mozambique Channel this evening or tonight.' The country's new leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who seized power in October, assessed the situation in Toamasina on Wednesday morning.
Cyclone season in the Indian Ocean around Madagascar typically lasts from November to April, with around a dozen storms occurring each year.
