Cyclone Gezani Kills 59 in Madagascar, Second Landfall Likely

At least 59 people have died after Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar last week, according to the country’s disaster management office on Monday.

The National Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) said the cyclone has displaced 16,428 people. Authorities also confirmed 15 people are still missing, while 804 people were injured. In total, 423,986 people have been classified as affected by the disaster.

Gezani hit Madagascar just 10 days after Tropical Cyclone Fytia, which killed 14 people and displaced more than 31,000, according to the United Nations humanitarian office.

At its strongest point, Cyclone Gezani recorded sustained winds of around 185 km/h, with gusts reaching nearly 270 km/h. The storm was powerful enough to tear metal roofing sheets from houses and uproot large trees.

After crossing Madagascar, Gezani moved westward across the Mozambique Channel, where it caused dangerous weather in southern Mozambique. Mozambique’s weather service reported strong winds and waves reaching up to 10 metres.

The cyclone has since curved back eastward over the channel. Forecasts show Gezani looping toward Madagascar again, with a second landfall expected in southwestern Madagascar on Monday.

Authorities have placed the Ampanihy district in southwestern Madagascar on red alert. The weather service said the cyclone is expected to pass about 100 km off the coast on Monday evening, bringing winds of around 65 km/h, but no heavy rainfall is expected.