In brief
Cyclone Garance has swept through Reunion Island with wind speeds reaching 234 km/h, causing three deaths and extensive damages, leaving over 180,000 homes without power and prompting emergency services to issue maximum alert levels.
Article Text: A fierce tropical cyclone named Garance has struck Reunion Island, claiming the lives of three individuals as it unleashed devastating winds of up to 234 km/h (145 mph). The storm, which made landfall on Friday, left a staggering 180,000 households without electricity and 170,000 without access to running water. In the face of this natural disaster, authorities mandated that the island's population, including emergency responders and law enforcement, remain indoors as the alert level was escalated to its highest point. Heavy rainfall was predicted to persist into the evening, with Prime Minister Francois Bayrou cautioning residents on X about the ongoing threats posed by the cyclone. Prefect Patrice Latron described the "brutal and violent" weather conditions as unprecedented and more severe than those experienced during Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four fatalities in January 2024.Garance made landfall in the northern region of the island at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT) before advancing southward and exiting by late afternoon. Fortunately, local authorities reduced the alert level by midday, enabling emergency services and law enforcement to venture out of their shelters. It has been decades since the island has faced winds of this magnitude, with the last significant occurrence recorded being Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994. Vincent Clain, a 45-year-old northern coast resident, recounted his fear: "This is the first time I've seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I've been afraid."To assist in the relief efforts when conditions allow, 100 troops and firefighters from the nearby French territory of Mayotte and another 100 from mainland France are on standby. Additionally, reports have emerged of a 55-year-old man who went missing in Mauritius after swimming in rough sea conditions on Wednesday.French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau emphasized that Cyclone Garance possesses a "rare intensity," while Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu assured that armed forces are prepared to provide necessary support. The impacts of this relentless cyclone are still unfolding, leaving the island to grapple with the aftermath of nature's fury.
