Tropical Cyclone Garance has hit Réunion Island, causing severe weather conditions with winds exceeding 200 km/h, heavy rainfall, and damage. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, with many without power and drinking water. Rescue operations have begun as the storm’s impact is being assessed.
On Friday, residents of the French Indian Ocean island of Réunion were advised to remain indoors as Tropical Cyclone Garance struck the region. The cyclone brought torrential rain and winds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph), resulting in significant flooding, power outages, and structural damage. The local prefecture reported that 683 individuals had taken refuge in emergency shelters while 54 others were evacuated due to potential flooding and landslide threats. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported as of yet.
Approximately 30% of the island’s population of 885,000 was affected by power outages, and nearly 10% of residents were without access to drinking water. Strong winds caused roofs, doors, and windows to be torn off buildings, prompting authorities to dispatch tarpaulins to the most severely impacted areas, particularly in the east of the island. As conditions worsened, the prefecture announced a red warning, urging residents to continue staying indoors amid the ongoing severe weather.
The national weather agency, Meteo France, recorded wind speeds of 214 kilometers per hour at the primary airport. The highest warning level, termed the purple cyclone warning, was lifted on Friday morning, allowing rescue operations to commence. Nonetheless, the island remained under a red weather warning due to the continuing heavy rainfall and strong winds, which were anticipated to persist throughout the day.
Réunion Island is situated roughly 1,500 kilometers southeast of Mayotte, another French territory that suffered devastation from Cyclone Chido in December, which was the worst in nearly a century. Local authorities have confirmed at least 40 deaths resulting from that cyclone, with 41 additional individuals reported missing or presumed deceased, leading to concerns that the death toll may rise further due to the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Garance inflicted significant disruptions on Réunion Island, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay indoors. The storm resulted in power shortages, water access issues, and damage to infrastructure, with numerous individuals seeking refuge in emergency shelters. Although no fatalities from Garance have been reported, the weather conditions remain perilous, necessitating continued precautions.
Original Source: apnews.com
