French officials reported on Saturday that Cyclone Garance has claimed the lives of at least four individuals during its destructive passage over the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion.
Authorities revealed that the body of a man was discovered trapped beneath one of the numerous trees uprooted by winds reaching speeds of 230 kilometers (143 miles) per hour, which swept across the island, home to approximately 900,000 residents, on Friday.
The other fatalities included two women and another man, who were either swept away by flash floods, caught in a mudslide, or perished in an electrical fire ignited by the storm, as stated by the prefecture.
More than 180,000 residents were left without electricity, and over 170,000 were without water, according to officials. The island’s international airport is expected to resume operations late Saturday.
Meanwhile, the nearby tourist destination of Mauritius closed its main airport on Wednesday, while La Reunion suspended flights on Thursday.
Approximately 200 firefighters and civil aid personnel are set to be deployed from Mayotte, a French territory located nearly 1,500 kilometers away, as well as from mainland France, according to government officials. Additionally, military troops are on standby.
Residents have shared images online depicting uprooted trees, damaged roofs, and homes affected by flooding. Numerous streets have been submerged, and vehicles have been swept away.
See more: The mental health crisis pushing French farmers to a breaking point
Patrice Latron, the central government representative on the island, indicated that significant efforts would be required due to many roads being obstructed by fallen trees.
“Roads are flooded, some are completely cut off, and others have been washed away. Several bridges have collapsed,” he noted.
Latron remarked that Cyclone Garance was more intense than Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four fatalities on Reunion Island in January 2024.
About The Author
