On Friday, the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion was struck by Tropical Cyclone Garance, resulting in the tragic loss of at least three lives, according to local police reports. Fierce winds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph) accompanied by heavy rainfall caused significant disruptions, mandating residents to remain within their homes due to the adverse weather conditions.
The powerful storm led to extensive floods, power outages, and structural damage to numerous buildings. Reports from France’s national police confirmed the three fatalities, although details surrounding these incidents remain undisclosed. Consequently, 847 individuals sought refuge in emergency shelters, while 54 were evacuated because of potential floods and landslides.
Approximately 182,000 island residents faced power outages, and 171,000 were deprived of access to potable water. Amidst the severe storm, strong gales tore roofs, doors, and windows from many structures. As a remedial action, tarpaulins were dispatched to the most severely impacted areas in the island’s eastern regions to offer provisional protection.
By Friday morning, the island had shifted from a purple to a red cyclone warning. While this allowed rescue services to initiate operations, the residents were still advised to stay indoors as heavy rainfalls and gusty winds were predicted to persist. At the island’s principal airport, the national meteorological service, Meteo France, recorded wind speeds reaching 214 kilometers per hour.
Situated approximately 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) southeast of Mayotte, another French territory in the Indian Ocean, Reunion has been navigating through severe weather challenges. This situation is reminiscent of Mayotte’s experience in December when Cyclone Chido wrought havoc, marking one of the worst cyclones in nearly a century. The cyclonic event resulted in 40 confirmed fatalities, with 41 individuals either missing or feared buried, leaving considerable destruction in its path.
