Cyclone Garance has caused extensive damage on La Reunion island, resulting in three fatalities and significant power outages affecting over 180,000 households. The cyclone’s wind speeds reached 155 mph, leading to destruction of infrastructure and a temporary shutdown of services. Residents expressed their fear as they coped with the aftermath of the storm, while local authorities began recovery efforts.
Cyclone Garance has tragically claimed three lives as it struck the French overseas territory of La Reunion island. The cyclone, which made landfall on the island’s northern coast, produced wind speeds reaching 155 miles per hour and caused extensive damage, uprooting trees and damaging homes. More than 180,000 households experienced power outages, and many residents lost access to drinking water due to the storm’s ferocity.
The cyclone hit La Reunion on a Friday and exited the southwestern region several hours later, according to Meteo France. The weather agency indicated that the worst effects were over, prompting a downgrade of the storm alert from the highest level, purple, to red. This change allowed rescue workers to begin assessing the damage while a mandatory stay-at-home order remained in effect for residents, as the threat of heavy rains emerged after the winds subsided.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou expressed his concern for the affected residents, emphasizing the need for compliance with local authorities’ instructions. The prefecture reported substantial impacts on infrastructure, with approximately 42 percent of electricity customers losing power and nearly ten percent of the population lacking access to drinking water. Neighboring Mauritius had initially closed its main airport, while La Reunion’s international airport planned to reopen later that Saturday.
Residents described their experiences during the cyclone as deeply frightening. Vincent Clain, a resident of Sainte-Marie, noted, “This is the first time I have seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I have been afraid.” He shared how he took refuge with his family in their kitchen for safety. Aline Etheve, from Sainte-Suzanne, voiced her concerns about potential roof collapse damage and reported her loss of power and Wi-Fi access in the aftermath of the storm.
The current situation on La Reunion emphasizes the community’s resilience in the face of natural disasters. While the cyclone has caused significant destruction and loss of life, authorities are taking proactive measures to restore power and water access, and residents are showing courage amidst challenging circumstances.
In summary, Cyclone Garance has devastated La Reunion island, resulting in three fatalities and leaving a considerable number of households without power and access to drinking water. While the worst of the storm has passed and recovery efforts are underway, the community remains vigilant. Local authorities and rescue services are focused on providing assistance to those affected. This event highlights the ongoing threats posed by climate-related disasters.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
