Cyclone Garance has devastated France’s Reunion Island, resulting in at least four fatalities and forcing hundreds of thousands to lose access to essential utilities. The storm caused severe flooding and damage to infrastructure, prompting a rapid governmental response for recovery efforts.
Cyclone Garance has been confirmed to have caused at least four fatalities on France’s Reunion Island, as reported by local authorities. The tempest struck early Friday, unleashing flash floods, mudslides, and violent electrical storms, subsequently disrupting the water and electricity supply for hundreds of thousands of residents. The authorities updated the death toll, revealing that one victim was found trapped beneath uprooted trees, while two women and another man succumbed to the floods or were victims of a fire ignited by the storm.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Garance’s assault, over 180,000 individuals were left without electricity, and approximately 170,000 suffered water supply interruptions. Initial assessments indicate that the island’s international airport will resume operations late Saturday after being closed due to the storm. In related developments, the neighboring tourist destination, Mauritius, had previously shut down its main airport earlier in the week, while Reunion halted flights on Thursday to ensure public safety.
The French government has dispatched approximately 200 firefighters and civil aid workers from the territory of Mayotte, located nearly 1,500 kilometers away, as well as personnel from mainland France, and troops are on standby for further assistance. Local residents have shared images on social media depicting severe destruction, such as uprooted trees, displaced roofs, and inundated homes, with whole streets submerged and vehicles swept away.
Patrice Latron, the representative of the central government on Reunion Island, emphasized the extensive recovery efforts required, highlighting the critical condition of the local infrastructure. “Roads are flooded, roads are cut off and some washed away. Bridges have come down,” he stated, reflecting the storm’s devastation. Furthermore, Latron noted that Cyclone Garance exhibited greater ferocity than Cyclone Belal, which similarly claimed four lives on the island in January 2024.
In summary, Cyclone Garance has wreaked havoc on France’s Reunion Island, leading to multiple fatalities, significant infrastructure damage, and widespread service outages. As recovery efforts commence, the local government and aid teams prepare to address the destruction caused by this powerful storm. The situation remains dire, prompting the mobilization of national resources to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
Original Source: www.france24.com
