At least 20 people have died after a powerful cyclone struck Madagascar, says the disaster authority in the Indian Ocean island. Cyclone Gezani made landfall on Tuesday, hitting the island's main port, Toamasina. Madagascar's disaster management office reported 'total chaos,' with houses collapsing and regions losing power as trees were uprooted and roofs torn off. According to cyclone forecasters, the cyclone was likely one of the most intense in recent history for the area.
Cyclone Gezani impacted Toamasina, the country's second-largest city, with winds reaching 250 km/hour (155 mph). 'It's total chaos; 90% of house roofs have been blown off, entirely or in part,' stated Rija Randrianarisoa, head of disaster management at Action Against Hunger. Evacuations are ongoing for those injured and citizens in need of assistance, with reports of wounds and dislocation following the storm's impact on a densely populated area.
The residents described the intensity of the winds and the damage, with one individual noting the unprecedented violence of the storm. Gezani is the second cyclone to hit Madagascar this year, following tropical cyclone Fytia which caused 14 deaths and displaced over 31,000 people. Ahead of the cyclone's arrival, emergency preparations were launched, resulting in the closure of schools and the creation of shelters.
As of Wednesday, the cyclone had weakened to a tropical storm and moved northward, about 100 km from the capital, Antananarivo. The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management is coordinating ongoing efforts amidst the devastation.
Cyclone Gezani impacted Toamasina, the country's second-largest city, with winds reaching 250 km/hour (155 mph). 'It's total chaos; 90% of house roofs have been blown off, entirely or in part,' stated Rija Randrianarisoa, head of disaster management at Action Against Hunger. Evacuations are ongoing for those injured and citizens in need of assistance, with reports of wounds and dislocation following the storm's impact on a densely populated area.
The residents described the intensity of the winds and the damage, with one individual noting the unprecedented violence of the storm. Gezani is the second cyclone to hit Madagascar this year, following tropical cyclone Fytia which caused 14 deaths and displaced over 31,000 people. Ahead of the cyclone's arrival, emergency preparations were launched, resulting in the closure of schools and the creation of shelters.
As of Wednesday, the cyclone had weakened to a tropical storm and moved northward, about 100 km from the capital, Antananarivo. The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management is coordinating ongoing efforts amidst the devastation.
