At least 9 killed, hundreds displaced as Cyclone Gezani hits Madagascar’s east coast

By Mevlut Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least nine people were killed and over 1,300 displaced after Cyclone Gezani made landfall late Tuesday on Madagascar’s east coast, the country’s disaster agency reported Wednesday.

At least 19 people were critically injured as the eastern regions of Atsinanana, Analanjirofo, and Alaotra Mangoro, along with the central Analamanga region, were severely affected, according to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management.

The storm caused significant damage, with 301 houses affected, including 66 completely destroyed, and displaced 1,379 people, 397 of whom are currently in temporary shelters.

The disaster management office said local officials and NGOs are coordinating immediate aid and planning long-term recovery efforts for those affected.

Cyclone Gezani made landfall in Toamasina, the regional capital of Atsinanana, at around 3.30 pm local time (GMT1630), with winds reaching 112 mph (180 km/h) and a storm surge of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) near the city center.

The storm is expected to move through the Mozambique Channel, just two weeks after Cyclone Fytia claimed 12 lives.