Cyclone Garance Strikes Reunion Island: Emergency Response Underway
Cyclone Garance has hit Reunion Island, causing severe weather conditions including heavy rain and winds over 200 km/h. Residents are urged to stay indoors due to risks of flooding and power outages. Emergency shelters are in use, and damage to buildings has been reported, while the highest alert level has been lifted but a red warning is still in effect.
Tropical Cyclone Garance has struck the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, unleashing severe rainfall and winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph). This extreme weather has resulted in flooding, power outages, and damage to various structures across the island. As a precaution, officials have urged residents to remain indoors due to the hazardous conditions.
The local prefecture reported that approximately 683 individuals sought refuge in emergency shelters, while 54 people were evacuated in anticipation of flooding and landslides. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities reported as of yet. However, about 30% of homes are currently without electricity, and nearly 10% of the population of 885,000 lacks access to safe drinking water.
Additionally, damaging winds have removed roofs, doors, and windows, necessitating the distribution of tarpaulins to the most affected areas, particularly in the eastern regions of the island. Although the highest cyclone warning was lifted, authorities have maintained a red warning, urging residents to stay indoors as heavy winds and rain are expected to endure throughout the day.
Meteo France, the national weather agency, recorded wind speeds reaching 214 kilometers per hour at the island’s primary airport. Reunion is situated approximately 1,500 kilometers southeast of Mayotte, another French territory that recently experienced the devastation of Cyclone Chido, resulting in 40 confirmed deaths and many individuals reported missing.
In summary, Cyclone Garance has severely impacted the island of Reunion, prompting emergency measures and extensive damage. Authorities continue to respond, urging residents to stay indoors as they address the aftermath of the storm. The situation remains dire with ongoing weather dangers and significant infrastructure challenges.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
