Cyclone Garance has caused three deaths and significant damage in Reunion Island with wind gusts of 234 km/h. Over 180,000 homes lost power, and 170,000 lack running water. A national alert was issued, limiting movement as emergency services responded to the extreme weather conditions, described as the worst since Cyclone Belal in January 2024.
Cyclone Garance has resulted in the tragic loss of three lives in Reunion Island as it swept through the French territory in the Indian Ocean with wind gusts reaching up to 234 km/h (145 mph). The cyclone, which made landfall on Friday morning, left over 180,000 homes without power and around 170,000 residents without access to running water. In response to the extreme conditions, officials mandated that the entire population, including emergency services and police, remain indoors as the maximum alert level was declared.
As heavy rainfall persisted into Friday evening, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou cautioned that the cyclone continued to pose a significant threat. Prefect Patrice Latron described the weather conditions as “brutal and violent,” surpassing those experienced during Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four fatalities in January 2024. Garance made landfall in the north at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT) and moved southward, exiting the island by late afternoon, as reported by Meteo France.
By midday, local authorities lowered the alert level to allow emergency services to resume operations outside. The maximum wind speed of 234 km/h was the highest recorded since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994. Vincent Clain, a 45-year-old resident from the northern coast, remarked, “This is the first time I’ve seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I’ve been afraid.”
Additionally, around 100 troops and firefighters from the nearby French territory of Mayotte and another 100 from mainland France were on standby, ready to assist as conditions improved. In a related incident, a 55-year-old man was reported missing in Mauritius after swimming in rough seas earlier in the week. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau noted the cyclone’s “rare intensity,” and Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu assured that the armed forces are prepared to provide necessary support.
In summary, Cyclone Garance has caused significant devastation in Reunion Island, leading to three fatalities and extensive damage to local infrastructure. The cyclone’s strength was unparalleled, prompting emergency measures and alerts from local authorities. As the situation continues to evolve, assistance is being organized, and the impact of this severe weather event is being closely monitored by officials.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
