Cyclone Garance Causes Tragedy in Reunion with Three Fatalities
Cyclone Garance has resulted in three fatalities in Reunion, with wind gusts of 234 km/h causing extensive power outages and water shortages. The local population was placed under maximum alert, and emergency services remained sheltered until conditions improved. The Prime Minister and authorities expressed concerns over the cyclone’s intensity, which surpassed previous storms, and external assistance is on standby.
Cyclone Garance has tragically claimed the lives of three individuals in Reunion, a French territory in the Indian Ocean. The cyclone produced wind gusts reaching 234 km/h (145 mph), resulting in widespread damage, leaving over 180,000 homes without electricity and 170,000 without access to running water. The storm made landfall early on Friday, prompting local authorities to impose a maximum alert level for the entire population, including emergency services who were instructed to remain indoors.
The adverse weather conditions persisted throughout Friday, with Prime Minister François Bayrou cautioning on platform X that the cyclone continued to pose a threat. Prefect Patrice Latron described the conditions as “brutal and violent,” escalating concerns as they outstripped the impact of Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four fatalities in January 2024. Cyclone Garance hit the northern region of Reunion at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT) and exited the island by late afternoon, as reported by weather agency Meteo France.
By midday on Friday, authorities downgraded the alert level, allowing emergency personnel to leave their shelters after the cyclone passed. The wind speeds recorded represented the highest levels seen on the island since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994. Vincent Clain, a resident of the northern coast, expressed his apprehension, stating, “This is the first time I have seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I have been afraid.”
In anticipation of possible needs for further assistance, approximately 100 troops and firefighters from Mayotte, nearly 1,500 km (930 miles) away, as well as another 100 from mainland France, are prepared to be deployed as conditions improve. Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man went missing in nearby Mauritius following a swimming incident in hazardous seas. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau characterized Cyclone Garance as having “rare intensity,” while Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed the readiness of armed forces to offer support.
Cyclone Garance has caused significant devastation in Reunion, resulting in three fatalities, widespread power outages, and water shortages. The state’s response included emergency protocols and preparations for additional support from external resources. Authorities emphasize that Cyclone Garance’s intensity was unprecedented in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing vigilance in affected areas.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
