Madagascar & Mozambique Hit by Cyclones: Deaths, Disasters & Emergency Declared

At least four people have died in Mozambique after Cyclone Gezani made landfall in the southern coastal province of Inhambane on Saturday, February 15th. The storm follows a devastating path of destruction across Madagascar earlier this week, where at least 35 people are confirmed dead, a figure that rose from an initial count of 40, and an estimated $142 million in damage has been reported.

The cyclone lashed Inhambane with winds reaching up to 215 kilometers per hour (134 mph), according to meteorologists cited by the AFP news agency. More than 13,000 people in the city of Inhambane, home to approximately 100,000 residents, are without power, and water supplies have been disrupted in several districts. The storm brought down trees and power lines, compounding existing challenges in the region.

In Madagascar, the government has declared a national emergency in response to the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Gezani. The port city of Toamasina bore the brunt of the storm, with reports describing “total chaos” and widespread destruction. Residents described scenes of collapsed houses, uprooted trees, and ripped-off roofs as the cyclone tore through the area. One resident, identified only as Denise, told BBC Newsday that she and her family endured six hours of intense wind and rain before their windows shattered and water flooded their home. “It’s real and its worse” than it appears in online videos, she said.

Approximately 250,000 people in Madagascar are currently affected or displaced, according to Environment Minister Max Fontaine Andonirina. He highlighted significant disruptions to food supply chains, fuel transport, and access to medical care due to damaged roads. The situation is particularly challenging as Gezani is the second cyclone to impact Madagascar this year, following Tropical Cyclone Fytia, which killed 14 people and displaced over 31,000 just ten days prior.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, Madagascar’s military leader who seized power in October, has appealed for international assistance, stating that the scale of the disaster exceeds the country’s capacity to respond alone. “What happened is a disaster, nearly 75% of the city of Toamasina was destroyed,” he told the AFP news agency.

Mozambique is particularly vulnerable to weather-related disasters, a trend scientists attribute to the effects of climate change. The country is still recovering from severe flooding in recent weeks that affected more than 700,000 people and damaged over 170,000 homes, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This latest cyclone adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing humanitarian challenges.

The current situation in Mozambique is particularly concerning given the recent flooding. The combination of these disasters is creating a compounding crisis, straining resources and hindering recovery efforts. The disruption of essential services, such as power and water, further exacerbates the difficulties faced by affected communities.

Cyclone Gezani’s trajectory and intensity are being closely monitored as it moves across the region. While the immediate focus is on rescue and relief efforts in Mozambique and Madagascar, the potential for further impacts on neighboring countries remains a concern. The international community is assessing the needs of both countries and preparing to provide assistance.

The scale of destruction caused by Cyclone Gezani underscores the increasing vulnerability of Southern African nations to extreme weather events. The disaster highlights the urgent need for increased investment in disaster preparedness, climate change adaptation, and resilient infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of future storms. The long-term consequences of the cyclone, including economic losses and displacement, will likely be felt for months and years to come.