Tropical Cyclone Garance Hits Reunion Island, Residents Advised to Stay Indoors
Tropical Cyclone Garance has struck the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, prompting residents to stay indoors due to heavy rains and winds exceeding 200 km/h. Emergency shelters have been established, and significant damage has occurred, including power outages affecting about 30% of homes. Authorities continue to monitor the situation while providing assistance to those in need.
On Friday, residents of the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion were advised to remain indoors as Tropical Cyclone Garance struck the region. The cyclone has brought with it heavy rainfall and winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph), resulting in floods, widespread power outages, and structural damages across the island.
The prefecture has reported that 683 individuals sought refuge in emergency shelters, while 54 residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure due to potential flooding or landslides. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported as of yet.
Approximately 30% of households are currently without electricity, and nearly 10% of Reunion’s 885,000 residents are experiencing difficulties accessing potable water. In addition, strong winds have caused significant damage, including the removal of roofs, doors, and windows from numerous buildings. Emergency tarpaulins are being dispatched to the areas most affected, particularly in the eastern region.
While the highest purple cyclone warning was lifted on Friday morning, allowing rescue operations to commence, the island remains under a red warning. Authorities continue to advise residents to stay indoors, as heavy rains and strong winds are forecasted to persist throughout the day. The national weather agency Meteo France recorded wind speeds reaching 214 kilometers per hour at the main airport.
Reunion island is situated approximately 1,500 kilometers southeast of Mayotte, another French territory that recently experienced devastating effects from Cyclone Chido in December. The impact of that cyclone resulted in 40 confirmed fatalities, with an additional 41 individuals listed as missing or believed to be buried in the debris, raising concerns of further casualties.
In conclusion, the impact of Tropical Cyclone Garance on Reunion island has prompted significant safety measures, including evacuation and sheltering of residents. Continued warnings and forecasts indicate that hazardous weather conditions are expected to persist, necessitating ongoing caution. Authorities are mobilizing resources to address power outages and provide emergency assistance in affected areas, while no fatalities have been reported thus far.
Original Source: apnews.com
