Cyclone Garance Causes Devastation in Reunion, Claiming Three Lives

Cyclone Garance has resulted in three fatalities and widespread disruption in Reunion, with sustained winds of 234 km/h. More than 180,000 homes lost power, and 170,000 lacked running water following the cyclone’s landfall. Local authorities enforced a maximum alert, urging residents to stay indoors as heavy rains continued, with military support prepared to assist in recovery efforts.

Cyclone Garance has tragically claimed the lives of three individuals as it struck Reunion, an island territory in the French Indian Ocean, with wind gusts reaching 234 km/h (145 mph). The cyclone resulted in widespread power outages, leaving over 180,000 households without electricity, and approximately 170,000 people without access to running water after making landfall on Friday morning. In response, authorities imposed a maximum alert, directing the entire population, including emergency services, to remain indoors.

As the cyclone continued to unleash heavy rains, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warned residents of the ongoing threat posed by Garance. Prefect Patrice Latron characterized the cyclone’s conditions as “brutal and violent,” emphasizing their severity compared to Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four fatalities in January 2024. Garance made landfall in the northern region of the island around 10:00 local time, and by late afternoon, it had moved southward off the island.

By midday, authorities downgraded the alert status, allowing police and emergency services to resume operations. The wind speeds recorded during this event had not been witnessed since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994. Local resident Vincent Clain 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.”

In addition, approximately 100 troops and firefighters are poised to be deployed from the French territory of Mayotte and mainland France once conditions improve. Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man has gone missing in Mauritius after attempting to swim in turbulent seas. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described Garance as a cyclone of “rare intensity,” with Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu assuring that armed forces are prepared to assist in recovery efforts.

Cyclone Garance has caused significant devastation in Reunion, leading to three fatalities and substantial infrastructural damage. The storm, with its unprecedented wind speeds, prompted a maximum alert level and extensive emergency responses. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and additional support from military resources is on standby as recovery efforts are prepared.

Original Source: www.bbc.com