Cyclone Garance Causes Devastation on Reunion Island with Three Fatalities
Cyclone Garance has led to three fatalities in Reunion Island, with wind speeds reaching 234 km/h, causing extensive power and water supply disruptions. The population was instructed to remain indoors, and emergency services were put on high alert. Authorities state that the cyclone’s intensity surpasses that of previous storms, prompting readiness from military and emergency response teams.
Cyclone Garance has wreaked havoc on Reunion, claiming the lives of three individuals as it lashed the French Indian Ocean territory with wind speeds of up to 234 km/h (145 mph). More than 180,000 households experienced power outages, while 170,000 residents were left without access to running water following the cyclone’s landfall on Friday morning.
In response to the severe conditions, the island’s entire population, including emergency services and law enforcement, was instructed to remain indoors as officials instituted the maximum alert level. The Prime Minister, Francois Bayrou, cautioned that the cyclone continued to pose a threat as heavy rains persisted into the evening hours.
The Prefect of Reunion, Patrice Latron, stated that Cyclone Garance’s violent impact was even greater than that of Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four fatalities on the island earlier this year. After making landfall in the northern region of Reunion at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT), the cyclone moved southward, exiting the territory later that afternoon.
Although the alert level was downgraded by midday to allow emergency crews to operate, the peak wind speed of 234 km/h marked the island’s most powerful cyclone event since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994. Vincent Clain, a 45-year-old resident, reflected: “This is the first time I’ve seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I’ve been afraid.”
In anticipation of potential further emergencies, approximately 100 troops and firefighters are on standby in the nearby French territory of Mayotte, and another 100 from mainland France are prepared for deployment. Concurrently, a 55-year-old man has been reported missing in Mauritius after he was swept away while swimming in treacherous waters. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau characterized Cyclone Garance as a phenomenon of “rare intensity,” while Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed that armed forces remain ready to assist when conditions improve.
In summary, Cyclone Garance has tragically resulted in three deaths and widespread destruction across Reunion Island, with extensive power outages and water supply issues reported. The cyclone’s extraordinary wind speeds and severe conditions prompted high alert levels and safety measures. Emergency response teams and military personnel stand ready to assist in recovery efforts once the situation stabilizes.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
