A powerful tropical cyclone has struck Madagascar’s east coast, leaving at least 20 people dead and causing widespread damage in the island nation’s major port city, Toamasina.
The storm, known as Cyclone Gezani, made landfall on Tuesday, bringing sustained winds of up to 250 km/h (155 mph) and heavy rainfall. Authorities report that many fatalities occurred as homes collapsed under the force of the cyclone, while dozens of others were injured and at least fifteen people remain missing.
Toamasina, a key economic hub with a population of around 400,000, has been hit hard. Trees were uprooted, power lines snapped, roofs were torn off buildings, and neighbourhoods were flooded. The cyclone also blocked roads, leaving many communities cut off from emergency services.
Emergency teams and disaster authorities have launched assessments to determine the full extent of damage and are working to provide aid to affected residents. Large-scale evacuations have been carried out to protect residents from flooding and collapsing structures.
Madagascar faces repeated cyclone threats during the November–April storm season, and this latest disaster comes just weeks after another deadly cyclone hit the island. Officials are calling for heightened disaster preparedness and continued vigilance as the storm moves inland, compounding challenges for local authorities and communities.
The cyclone has underscored the island’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and the urgent need for stronger infrastructure, disaster response systems, and community resilience measures to protect lives and livelihoods.
Source: Thepressradio.com
