In brief
The islands' population experiences severe impacts from Cyclone Garance, as emergency services mobilize to respond to the catastrophic weather conditions.
Three individuals have tragically lost their lives in Reunion following the devastating passage of Cyclone Garance, which struck the French Indian Ocean territory with towering winds reaching up to 234km/h (145mph). The cyclone, which made landfall on Friday morning, has left over 180,000 homes without electricity and has disrupted running water for approximately 170,000 residents, prompting authorities to impose a maximum alert level.In reaction to the dangerous conditions, the entire population, including emergency services, was instructed to remain indoors. The heavy rain associated with the cyclone was forecasted to persist throughout Friday evening, with Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warning that the storm continued to pose a significant threat. The conditions were described as "brutal and violent" by Prefect Patrice Latron, who noted that this storm was more severe than Cyclone Belal, which claimed four lives in January 2024.Cyclone Garance hit the northern part of Reunion at approximately 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT) before moving south and exiting the island by late afternoon, according to reports from Meteo France. By midday, local authorities were able to lower the alert level, allowing emergency services and police to resume operations outside their shelters. The top wind speeds of 234km/h had not been experienced on the island since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994.Residents expressed their fears as Vincent Clain, a 45-year-old from the northern coast, remarked, "This is the first time I've seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I've been afraid." Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man initially reported missing in nearby Mauritius since swimming in rough seas earlier in the week raised concerns about the widespread impact of the storms in the region. France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau classified Garance as a cyclone of a "rare intensity," and Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu assured the public that armed forces were preparing to assist in recovery efforts. In addition, around 100 troops and firefighters from the French territory of Mayotte, located nearly 1,500km (930 miles) away, as well as 100 from mainland France, are ready to be deployed once conditions improve.
