Cyclone Garance has caused three fatalities on Reunion Island, with wind speeds up to 234 km/h resulting in widespread power outages and water supply disruptions. A state of emergency was declared, and local residents were instructed to stay indoors as heavy rains continued. Enhanced emergency services and military support are on standby to aid recovery efforts following the cyclone’s impact.
Cyclone Garance has tragically resulted in the deaths of three individuals on Reunion Island as it swept through the region with wind gusts reaching 234 km/h (145 mph). This powerful storm has disrupted the lives of over 180,000 residents by causing widespread power outages and leaving 170,000 without access to running water following its landfall Friday morning. All residents, including emergency and police services, were instructed to remain indoors due to the maximum alert level declared.
The cyclone’s heavy rains are expected to persist, prompting Prime Minister Francois Bayrou to emphasize the continued risk it poses. Authorities have characterized the storm as “brutal and violent,” noting that it surpassed the severity of Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four fatalities in January 2024. Cyclone Garance made landfall at 10:00 local time and exited the island by late afternoon, according to Meteo France.
In light of the dangerous conditions, local authorities decreased the alert level by midday to allow emergency responders to begin their operations. The peak wind speed recorded during Garance had not been seen on the island since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994. Vincent Clain, a resident from the northern coast, expressed his fear, stating, “This is the first time I’ve seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I’ve been afraid.”
Additionally, approximately 200 troops and firefighters were prepared to be deployed from Mayotte and mainland France when the situation improves. Separately, a 55-year-old man has reportedly gone missing in Mauritius following a swim in hazardous waters. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described Garance’s intensity as “rare,” and Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu assured that armed forces are ready to assist.
Cyclone Garance has led to significant devastation on Reunion Island, resulting in three fatalities and extensive disruption to essential services. The storm’s maximum wind speeds and heavy rainfall have prompted emergency responses and heightened alerts. Local authorities and national defense forces remain poised to assist as recovery efforts commence following the cyclone’s passage. This event highlights the ongoing threat posed by natural disasters in the region.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
