At least 20 people have been confirmed dead after the powerful Cyclone Gezani slammed into Madagascar, unleashing violent winds, widespread flooding, and catastrophic destruction across the country’s eastern region.
The deadly storm struck on Tuesday, hitting the coastal city of Toamasina — Madagascar’s second-largest city — with winds reaching up to 250 km/h (155 mph). According to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNRGC), at least 15 people remain missing, while 33 others have sustained injuries.
Most of the fatalities were caused by collapsing buildings, as homes made from fragile materials could not withstand the cyclone’s extreme force.
Madagascar’s new leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who visited the city before the storm made landfall, described the situation as “catastrophic,” revealing that nearly 75 percent of Toamasina has been destroyed.
“The current situation exceeds Madagascar’s capacity to handle alone,” he said, appealing for urgent international assistance to support affected communities.
Drone footage released by disaster officials shows large sections of the city underwater, with streets submerged, rooftops ripped off, and fallen trees blocking major roads. Humanitarian groups report that up to 90 percent of roofs in some areas have been partially or completely destroyed.
The Atsinanana region surrounding Toamasina has also suffered extensive damage, though full assessments are still ongoing. Commercial flights into the city remain suspended, with only humanitarian and military operations permitted.
Authorities have deployed emergency rescue teams, including army civil protection personnel, to assist in search-and-rescue efforts.
Meteorologists say Gezani is one of the most powerful cyclones to hit the region in modern satellite history, drawing comparisons to Cyclone Geralda in 1994, which killed over 200 people.
Although the storm weakened after landfall, forecasters warn it could regain strength over the Mozambique Channel and may strike southern Mozambique later this week, raising fears of further flooding.
Madagascar remains highly vulnerable to cyclones, as more than 70 percent of homes are built using lightweight materials such as clay, branches, and foliage. The southwest Indian Ocean cyclone season typically runs from November to April, producing multiple severe storms each year.
SUNTV Global continues to monitor the situation as rescue operations intensify and international aid appeals grow.
