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last mo.

Cyclone Gezani Batters Madagascar, At Least 20 Dead After Landfall Near Toamasina

Forecasters expect the storm to re-enter the Mozambique Channel later today.

Image
: The SAWS Monitoring Moderate Tropical Storm Gezani in the South-West Indian Ocean. Picture: Saws.
The country's new leader said Cyclone Gezani had destroyed nearly three-quarters of Madagascar's second-largest city
More than 70 percent of houses in Madagascar are built from precarious materials, according to the national statistical institute

Overview

  • RSMC La Réunion reported landfall near Toamasina around 16:00 UTC on February 10 with estimated 10‑minute sustained winds near 175 km/h and a central pressure around 955 hPa.
  • Madagascar’s disaster agency said at least 20 people were killed, 33 injured and 15 are missing, with more than 2,700 residents evacuated as homes collapsed.
  • Toamasina, the nation’s main port, suffered severe damage and prolonged power cuts, and the president’s office said roughly three‑quarters of the city’s infrastructure was affected.
  • Meteo Madagascar maintained red alerts for multiple regions and warned of widespread flooding, flash floods and landslides as the weakened storm tracked west about 100 km north of Antananarivo.
  • Official guidance indicated possible re‑intensification after the system moves back over water, and South Africa’s weather service said there is no direct threat to the country but hazardous marine conditions are expected.