Cyclone Garance has hit Reunion island, resulting in three deaths and extensive damage. Winds over 200 kilometers per hour and heavy rains have caused floods and power outages. Authorities have set up emergency shelters and evacuated residents due to continued risks. A red warning is in effect, advising residents to stay indoors as conditions remain severe.
Tropical Cyclone Garance has struck the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, resulting in at least three fatalities, according to local police reports. The storm, characterized by severe winds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph) and heavy rains, prompted authorities to issue stay-at-home orders for residents due to significant flooding, widespread power outages, and extensive damage to infrastructure.
Emergency shelters were activated, with 847 individuals seeking refuge, and 54 people evacuated due to potential flooding or landslide threats. In addition, approximately 182,000 residents experienced power outages, while 171,000 were without access to potable water. The storm caused roofs, doors, and windows to be torn from numerous structures, prompting the deployment of tarpaulins in the most affected areas of the island.
While the highest level of cyclone warning was lifted Friday morning, authorities maintained a red warning status, advising residents to remain indoors as heavy rain and winds were expected to continue throughout the day. The national weather agency Meteo France recorded wind speeds of 214 kilometers per hour (133 mph) at the main airport on Reunion island, emphasizing the storm’s ferocity.
Reunion island is situated approximately 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) southeast of the French territory of Mayotte, which recently experienced severe devastation from Cyclone Chido, leaving at least 40 dead and 41 others missing or suspected buried beneath debris. The region remains on alert, mindful of the impact of successive cyclonic events on its islands.
In summary, Cyclone Garance has inflicted severe damage on Reunion island, resulting in three confirmed deaths and significant disruption to essential services. Emergency measures have been enacted, including the provision of shelter and ongoing alerts for residents to remain cautious as the storm’s effects linger. The island community faces the dual challenge of recovery from Cyclone Garance while still grappling with the repercussions of Cyclone Chido in neighboring territories.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
