Impact of Tropical Cyclone Garance on Reunion Island: Casualties and Destruction
Tropical Cyclone Garance struck Reunion Island, leading to three fatalities, widespread flooding, and extensive power outages. Evacuations were conducted for 54 individuals, with significant structural damage reported. The island remains under red warning as severe weather conditions persist. Meanwhile, the region’s recent history of cyclones raises ongoing concerns about disaster preparedness.
On Friday, Tropical Cyclone Garance struck the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, resulting in at least three fatalities as reported by French police. The cyclone was characterized by powerful winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph) and heavy rainfall, leading to significant flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damage. Residents were advised to remain indoors given the dangerous conditions.
Authorities reported that 847 individuals took refuge in emergency shelters while an additional 54 were evacuated due to the threat of flooding and landslides. The storm left approximately 182,000 residents without electricity and 171,000 without access to drinking water as the severe weather continued to impact daily life on the island.
Structural damage was extensive, with strong winds displacing roofs, doors, and windows across numerous buildings. Tarpaulins were dispatched to provide shelter in the hardest-hit areas, particularly in the eastern region of Reunion. Despite lifting the highest-level purple cyclone warning, officials maintained a red alert for ongoing heavy rain and wind conditions as rescue operations commenced.
According to France’s national weather agency, Meteo France, the recorded wind speeds at the main airport reached 214 kilometers per hour (133 mph). Reunion’s geographical location makes it vulnerable to cyclonic activity; it lies about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) southeast of Mayotte, which also faced devastating effects from Cyclone Chido, leading to numerous fatalities and missing persons.
Local authorities in Mayotte confirmed 40 deaths and reported 41 individuals missing, suspected to be victims of the cyclone’s violent aftermath. Given the recent severe weather patterns in the region, concerns about future infrastructure resilience and community preparedness remain paramount.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Garance has resulted in significant loss of life, infrastructure damage, and widespread power and water outages on Reunion. Emergency measures, including evacuations and temporary shelters, were promptly implemented, demonstrating the urgency of response in severe weather events. As communities recover, lessons learned from this incident will be crucial in enhancing disaster preparedness and response strategies for future cyclones. The impact of severe weather also casts a spotlight on the broader vulnerability of island territories to climatic disturbances, reinforcing the need for robust emergency management frameworks.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
