On Tuesday, February 10th, the tropical cyclone “Gezani” swept across the African island nation of Madagascar, causing 31 fatalities and affecting over 250,000 people. Authorities have declared a “national disaster state.”
According to various media reports, the tropical cyclone “Gezani” made landfall on the eastern coastal region of Madagascar on Tuesday night with the strength of a Category 3 hurricane. With wind gusts reaching speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour and generating waves as high as 10 meters, it directly hit the country’s second largest city, Toamasina, causing severe destruction. Numerous houses collapsed, trees were uprooted, and the affected area was left in chaos.
The presidential palace of the country stated that “Gezani” is one of the most powerful cyclones recorded in recent years, with strong winds and heavy rains devastating approximately 75% of the area of Toamasina. According to the latest data released by Madagascar’s National Office of Risk and Disaster Management on Wednesday, “Gezani” has resulted in at least 31 deaths, 36 severe injuries, with 4 individuals still missing, and over 6,000 people displaced.
On Wednesday, the Madagascar government issued a decree stating that the passage of the tropical cyclone “Gezani” has caused casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and housing. Some areas suffered significant losses. Madagascar has legally declared a “national disaster state,” with the government responsible for organizing rescue efforts.
The country’s meteorological department stated that “Gezani” moved across central Madagascar on Wednesday, weakening in intensity to a tropical storm as it moved further inland. It is expected to enter the Mozambique Channel on Thursday, where it may strengthen again into a tropical cyclone.
Madagascar, the largest island in Africa located in the Indian Ocean, experiences a high frequency of tropical cyclones from December to March each year.