Cyclone Garance has caused severe flooding in Réunion Island, leading to at least four deaths and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity and water. The French government has mobilized aid workers and firefighting resources. This storm, classified as the strongest since 1989, affected regional infrastructures, prompting airport closures.
A devastating impact has been felt in Réunion Island due to Cyclone Garance, which made landfall on February 28, causing catastrophic flooding. Unfortunately, reports confirm at least four fatalities as a result of flash floods, mudslides, and accidents caused by high winds exceeding 200 km/h (124 mph). This cyclone is noted as one of the most powerful to hit the island since 1989.
In the wake of the storm, over 180,000 residents have been left without electricity, and approximately 310,000 are now without access to water. Close to 1,000 individuals have sought refuge in temporary shelters due to the severe weather conditions. Residents have expressed their fears as the cyclone altered their familiar landscapes, with Vincent Clain stating the experience was unprecedentedly frightening.
In response to the disaster, the French government has dispatched 200 firefighters and aid workers from mainland France and other territories. Aid supplies, including tarpaulins, have been sent to those most affected in the eastern regions of the island. The local government acknowledges that infrastructure recovery will require extensive efforts to clear roads obstructed by fallen trees.
The cyclone’s impact extended beyond Réunion, prompting the closure of airports in both Réunion and Mauritius. Garance was one of six active tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere during that week, leading experts like Lauren Herdman to note the unusual concurrent presence of so many storms, particularly in a single ocean basin.
Cyclone Garance has resulted in significant casualties and widespread disruption in Réunion Island, marking the cyclone as unprecedented in intensity since 1989. The response from national authorities and the outpouring of aid reflect serious commitment to assist those affected. However, the aftermath highlights the ongoing challenges of natural disasters, especially amidst concurrent storms in the Southern Hemisphere.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
