Cyclone Garance Devastates Reunion, Resulting in Three Fatalities

Cyclone Garance has caused the deaths of three individuals in Reunion, resulting in extensive damage, including over 180,000 homes without power and 170,000 without water. The cyclone made landfall with wind gusts reaching 234 km/h, compelling authorities to impose a maximum alert. Response teams are on standby for potential assistance as the region deals with the aftermath of the cyclone.

Cyclone Garance has tragically claimed the lives of three individuals in Reunion, as it swept across the French Indian Ocean territory with wind gusts reaching up to 234 km/h (145 mph). Following the cyclone making landfall on Friday morning, over 180,000 households were left without electricity, and approximately 170,000 without access to running water. Residents, including emergency services, were ordered to shelter indoors due to the maximum alert status in effect.

Heavy rainfall persisted into the evening, prompting Prime Minister Francois Bayrou to issue a warning via social media platform X regarding the cyclone’s ongoing potential danger. Prefect Patrice Latron characterized the circumstances as “brutal and violent,” noting that they surpassed those experienced during Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four deaths in January 2024.

Garance made landfall in the northern part of the island at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT) and continued to impact the southern regions before exiting by late afternoon, as reported by the weather agency Meteo France. By midday, authorities downgraded the alert level to permit emergency services to operate outside their shelters. The cyclone’s wind speeds had not been witnessed on the island since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994.

Vincent Clain, a 45-year-old resident from the northern coast, expressed his fear, stating, “This is the first time I’ve seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I’ve been afraid.” In response to the devastation, approximately 100 troops and firefighters from the French territory of Mayotte, situated nearly 1,500 km (930 miles) away, were poised for deployment, alongside an additional 100 from mainland France. Meanwhile, search efforts continue in nearby Mauritius where a 55-year-old gentleman went missing while swimming in rough waters.

France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau remarked that Garance exhibited a “rare intensity,” while Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed that the armed forces were prepared to assist as needed.

In conclusion, Cyclone Garance has caused significant destruction and loss of life in Reunion, leaving many residents without essential services. The powerful wind speeds and heavy rain have led authorities to implement emergency measures and prepare for a potential response. The event serves as a reminder of the severity of tropical cyclones in the region and the importance of readiness and response strategies for such natural disasters.

Original Source: www.bbc.com