Cyclone Garance has devastated Reunion Island, resulting in three fatalities and widespread power and water outages. The storm made landfall with winds reaching 234 km/h, causing significant concern among residents. Local authorities implemented a maximum alert level and urged the population to stay indoors while emergency services readied for potential recovery efforts.
Cyclone Garance has caused the deaths of three individuals as it impacted Reunion Island with winds reaching up to 234 km/h (145 mph). This powerful tropical cyclone struck on Friday morning, leaving over 180,000 residences without electricity and 170,000 without access to running water. The local authorities imposed a maximum alert, urging the entire population, including emergency services, to remain indoors.
As the cyclone continued to bring heavy rains into the evening, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou indicated that the threat level remained serious. Prefect Patrice Latron described the conditions as “brutal and violent,” surpassing the intensity of Cyclone Belal, which claimed four lives in January 2024. Cyclone Garance made landfall in the northern part of the island before moving southward and exiting by late afternoon, according to Meteo France.
By midday, local authorities eased the alert level, permitting emergency personnel to leave their shelters. The wind speed of 234 km/h was notably the highest recorded on Reunion since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994. Vincent Clain, a northern coast resident, remarked, “This is the first time I’ve seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I’ve been afraid.”
To aid recovery efforts, approximately 100 troops and firefighters are on standby from Mayotte and mainland France. Concurrently, a 55-year-old man is reported missing in nearby Mauritius after swimming in dangerous sea conditions. France’s Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu noted on Friday that armed forces are prepared to offer assistance as needed, stating that Cyclone Garance exhibits “rare intensity.”
In conclusion, Cyclone Garance has had a devastating impact on Reunion Island, claiming three lives and causing widespread damage. With destructive wind speeds and subsequent infrastructure failures, the local government has implemented safety measures and called for emergency support. The cyclone’s severity has drawn attention from French authorities, who are ready to assist in recovery efforts as the threat persists. Residents are urged to remain cautious and prepared as conditions may continue to evolve.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
