Cyclone Garance hit Reunion Island, prompting residents to stay indoors as powerful winds and heavy rain caused floods and structural damage. Emergency shelters housed 683 individuals, while power outages and water shortages affected many. Rescue operations began after the purple warning was lifted, yet conditions remained dangerous with ongoing severe weather.
Cyclone Garance struck the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion on Friday, prompting authorities to advise residents to remain indoors. The cyclone brought heavy rains and winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph), leading to severe flooding and damage to properties. As a precaution against flooding and landslides, 683 individuals sought refuge in emergency shelters and 54 people were evacuated without any reported fatalities.
Power outages affected around 30% of homes, and nearly 10% of the island’s population of 885,000 faced water shortages. The prefecture reported that high winds severely damaged buildings, ripping off roofs, doors, and windows. Emergency measures included sending tarpaulins to the hardest-hit eastern regions to provide temporary shelter.
On Friday morning, the highest-level purple cyclone warning was lifted, enabling rescue operations. However, the island remained under a red warning as authorities expected heavy rainfall and strong winds to continue throughout the day. The national weather agency, Meteo France, recorded winds up to 214 kilometers per hour at Reunion’s primary airport.
Reunion Island lies approximately 1,500 kilometers southeast of the French territory of Mayotte, which recently endured its worst cyclone in almost a century. The aftermath of Cyclone Chido in December resulted in 40 confirmed deaths and 41 individuals reported as missing, eliciting fears of additional fatalities.
In summary, Cyclone Garance has caused significant disruption to life on Reunion Island, compounding the hardships of residents due to recent severe weather events in the region. With rescue efforts underway, residents remain under advisory to avoid unnecessary risks while evaluating the storm’s impact on infrastructure and local resources.
Original Source: apnews.com
