Cyclone Garance Claims Four Lives and Disrupts Life on Reunion Island

Cyclone Garance has killed at least four people on Reunion Island, causing severe flooding and loss of electricity and water for hundreds of thousands. Emergency services have been deployed for recovery efforts, while significant infrastructural damage has been reported, prompting urgent responses from local authorities.

Cyclone Garance has tragically resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals on France’s Reunion Island, as confirmed by local authorities this past Saturday. The cyclone struck early Friday, leading to severe flash floods, mudslides, and electrical storms, which left hundreds of thousands of residents without access to essential services such as water and electricity.

Among the fatalities reported, a man was discovered trapped beneath one of the numerous trees uprooted by fierce winds reaching speeds of up to 230 kilometers (143 miles) per hour. The fatalities also include two women and another man, who were carried away by flash floods, caught in mudslides, or perished due to an electrical fire ignited by the storm, according to official announcements.

The cyclonic disturbance caused significant infrastructural damage, with over 180,000 individuals losing power and more than 170,000 lacking running water. Reunion Island’s international airport is expected to resume operations late Saturday following the tempest. In response to the situation, emergency services, including 200 firefighters and civil aid workers from Mayotte and mainland France, have been deployed to assist in recovery efforts.

Patrice Latron, the central government’s representative on Reunion Island, remarked that extensive efforts will be required, as many roads remain obstructed by fallen trees and debris. “Roads are flooded, roads are cut off and some washed away. Bridges have come down,” he stated. The cyclone, which is noted to be more violent than cyclone Belal—responsible for four deaths in January 2024—is prompting heightened caution amid recovery operations.

In summary, Cyclone Garance has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread damage on Reunion Island, with ongoing recovery efforts underway. As emergency services mobilize to restore infrastructure and assist affected residents, the severity of the cyclone underscores the vulnerabilities faced by the region. The situation remains critical as authorities continue to assess damages and facilitate aid to those impacted by the storm.

Original Source: www.france24.com