Cyclone Garance Hits Reunion Island, Causing Casualties and Widespread Destruction
Cyclone Garance has claimed three lives in Reunion Island, with wind speeds reaching 234 km/h. Over 180,000 homes lost power and 170,000 faced water disruptions. The emergency alert was lifted allowing services to respond as rains continued. Aid is on standby amid recovery efforts.
Cyclone Garance has struck Reunion Island, leading to the deaths of three people as wind gusts reached 234 km/h (145 mph). The cyclone made landfall on Friday morning, leaving over 180,000 homes without electricity and 170,000 without water. Due to the extreme weather, a maximum alert was issued, instructing the population and emergency services to stay indoors.
Heavy rains were expected to persist into the evening as Prime Minister Francois Bayrou cautioned that the cyclone still posed a danger. Officials described the conditions as “brutal and violent”, more severe than Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four fatalities in January 2024.
Cyclone Garance hit the northern part of the island at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT) and moved south, exiting Reunion by late afternoon. The alert level was downgraded by midday, allowing emergency services to resume operations. Wind speeds this high had not been recorded since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994.
Residents reported experiencing unprecedented cyclone intensity; Vincent Clain, a local, shared, “This is the first time I’ve seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I’ve been afraid.” Additionally, 100 troops and firefighters from Mayotte, located nearly 1,500 km (930 miles) away, along with 100 from mainland France, were prepared to assist once conditions improved.
In related news, a 55-year-old man went missing off the coast of Mauritius after swimming in rough seas. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated that Cyclone Garance was of a “rare intensity,” and Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed that armed forces were ready to aid in recovery efforts.
Cyclone Garance has caused substantial damage to Reunion Island, claiming three lives and leaving vast areas without utilities. The event highlighted the necessity for alertness and preparedness in extreme weather conditions, drawing comparisons to prior cyclones that impacted the region. Despite the severity, local authorities are beginning recovery efforts as conditions stabilize.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
