Tropical Cyclone Garance Hits Reunion Island, Urges Residents to Stay Indoors
Cyclone Garance struck Reunion Island, leading to strong winds and heavy rain. Authorities reported widespread flooding, power cuts, and significant building damage. 683 people sought refuge in shelters, and 54 were evacuated. Despite severe impacts, no fatalities have been confirmed, although the island is under a red warning due to continuing bad weather.
Residents on the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean have been urged to remain indoors due to Tropical Cyclone Garance, which has brought intense rainfall and winds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph). The cyclone has led to significant flooding, power outages, and damage to buildings across the island.
According to local authorities, around 683 individuals have sought shelter in emergency facilities, while 54 residents were evacuated due to the threat of flooding and landslides. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported as a result of the cyclone’s impact.
Power outages affected approximately 30% of homes, and nearly 10% of the island’s 885,000 residents were without access to potable water. Strong winds have caused extensive structural damage, including ripped roofs, doors, and windows. Authorities are dispatching tarpaulins to provide emergency shelter in the hardest-hit regions.
The highest-level purple cyclone warning had been lifted by Friday morning, allowing for the commencement of rescue operations. However, the island remains under a red warning, indicating continued dangerous conditions with heavy rainfall and strong winds expected to persist throughout the day.
Meteo France reported wind speeds reaching 214 kilometers per hour at the island’s main airport. Reunion Island is situated about 1,500 kilometers southeast of Mayotte, another French territory that faced severe devastation from Cyclone Chido in December, which resulted in at least 40 confirmed deaths and many missing persons.
Cyclone Garance has significantly affected the island of Reunion, prompting emergency shelter provisions and urgent calls for residents to stay indoors. The cyclone has caused widespread damage, power outages, and access to clean water issues, although no fatalities have been reported so far. The community remains cautious as rescue operations commence under ongoing adverse weather conditions.
Original Source: apnews.com
