Intense Cyclone Gezani has wreaked havoc in Madagascar, killing at least 40 people and forcing more than 16,000 residents from their homes after making landfall on the east coast earlier this week, disaster authorities said. The storm — packing winds up to 250 km/h (155 mph) — hit the port city of Toamasina hard, flattening buildings, knocking out power and flooding streets, leaving massive destruction in its wake. Madagascar’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management reported widespread damage across several regions, with thousands displaced and many more affected by flooding and ruined infrastructure.
President Michael Randrianirina declared a national disaster, calling for international support as local resources struggle to meet emergency needs such as food, shelter and medical aid. Homes, schools and roads have been extensively damaged, and cleanup efforts are underway amid ongoing challenges in reaching isolated communities.
Meanwhile, as Gezani moves westward into the Mozambique Channel, authorities in Mozambique — particularly in coastal areas such as Inhambane — are bracing for the storm’s potential impact. Residents are reinforcing homes and clearing property in preparation for heavy winds and rough seas later this week, according to meteorological updates and Reuters reporting.
— news as reported
