Tropical Cyclone Gezani slammed into Madagascar’s east coast on Tuesday, killing at least nine people and injuring 19 others as it destroyed homes and knocked out power across the Indian Ocean island nation, authorities said.
The storm made landfall near Toamasina, Madagascar’s main port city, with winds exceeding 195 kilometres per hour (121 mph), forcing many buildings to collapse and prompting officials to issue red alerts for flooding and landslides in several regions.
The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management said the confirmed deaths were caused by “building collapses” as the cyclone hit, and that the toll may rise as search and rescue teams continue their work. At least 19 people were hurt, the office added.
Residents described widespread damage, including blown-off roofs, fallen power poles and uprooted trees. “It’s devastation. Roofs have been blown away, walls have collapsed, power poles are down, trees have been uprooted,” said a Toamasina resident only identified as Michel.
Madagascar’s president, Michael Randrianirina, who came to power in a military coup last year, visited the worst-hit areas, posting videos from Toamasina showing submerged streets and damaged homes. The president declared a non-working day across parts of the country to allow residents to take shelter and avoid further harm.
Gezani weakened into a tropical storm while moving inland, but continued to bring heavy rain. Forecasts suggest it may regain strength as it moves toward the Mozambique Channel, raising concerns about further impacts on communities already coping with another recent cyclone, Fytia, which killed 14 people and displaced tens of thousands in late January.
Madagascar is particularly vulnerable to cyclones during the November–March season, when storms often cause serious damage to infrastructure and livelihoods.
