At least 35 dead as Cyclone Gezani devastates Madagascar

At least 35 people have reportedly died after Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar, authorities have confirmed, leaving widespread destruction across the island.

The powerful storm made landfall on Tuesday, hitting Toamasina, the country’s main port, with winds reaching 250 km/h (155 mph).

BBC reports that Madagascar’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management described the situation as “total chaos,” reporting that many fatalities occurred when houses collapsed under the storm’s force.

Neighbourhoods were plunged into darkness as power lines snapped, trees were uprooted, and roofs torn off.

Environment Minister, Max Fontaine Andonirina, told BBC Newsday on Thursday that up to 250,000 people had been “affected or displaced” by the cyclone.

Huge challenges remain, including disruptions to food supply chains, fuel transport, and medical access, as major roads have been cut off.

One resident, who identified herself as Denise, described cowering inside her home as wind and rain lashed for six hours before her windows shattered and water poured in.

“We are trying to do our best… It’s dangerous and I don’t know if there will be enough people to help us, even though the authorities are trying. It’s real and it’s worse than it looks in videos being shared online,” she said.

Cyclone Gezani is the second to hit Madagascar this year, following Cyclone Fytia just 10 days earlier, which killed 14 people and displaced more than 31,000, according to the UN humanitarian office.

Authorities are now appealing for international assistance. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the country’s military leader who seized power in October, told AFP that nearly 75% of Toamasina had been destroyed.

“The current situation exceeds Madagascar’s capabilities alone,” he said.

Experts say Gezani’s landfall may be one of the most intense recorded around the city in the satellite era. Rija Randrianarisoa, head of disaster management at the Action Against Hunger aid agency, described the destruction: “It’s total chaos, 90 percent of house roofs have been blown off, entirely or in part.”

Environment Minister Andonirina warned that recovery will be a long-term process.

“It takes many, many years to restore infrastructure and recover,” he said, noting that parts of Madagascar ravaged by cyclones over the past three years have still “not been rebuilt as it was before.”

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