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Cyclone Gezani Death Toll Hits 59 in Madagascar, Over 420,000 Affected

The death toll from Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar has risen to 59, with over 804 people injured and more than 420,000 affected. The storm caused catastrophic damage, destroying over 25,000 houses and damaging nearly 65,000 homes. The Malagasy government has declared a state of national disaster in response to the widespread devastation and community disruption. The United Nations has allocated $3 million in emergency funding to support relief efforts for over 90,000 people.

Key Points: Madagascar Cyclone Gezani: 59 Dead, National Disaster Declared

  • 59 fatalities and 804 injured
  • Over 420,000 people affected across 25 districts
  • More than 25,000 houses destroyed
  • UN allocates $3 million in emergency aid
2 min read

Death toll from Cyclone Gezani rises to 59 in Madagascar

Death toll from Cyclone Gezani rises to 59 in Madagascar with over 420,000 people affected and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.

"The tragic loss of life and disruption of communities - Malagasy government decree"

Antananarivo, Feb 16

The death toll from Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar has risen to 59, with 804 people injured, according to an update released Monday by the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management.

The BNGRC said more than 420,000 people were affected across 25 districts in five regions in eastern and central Madagascar. The cyclone also damaged more than 49,000 houses and destroyed over 25,000 houses.

Authorities are continuing to assess damage and carry out relief operations in the affected areas, while assistance to impacted populations is underway.

The Malagasy government declared a "state of national disaster" on February 11 in response to the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Gezani.

The storm brought extensive damage to infrastructure, homes and livelihoods, along with severe flooding and significant economic losses.

The decree cited the tragic loss of life and disruption of communities as key factors. It also said that the Cyclone Gezani severely affected several regions of Madagascar, exacerbating an already dire situation following Cyclone Fytia and ongoing heavy rainfall.

Last Thursday, the United Nations (UN) announced that it has allocated three million US dollars for emergency aid to Madagascar following devastating Tropical Cyclone Gezani.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund will help more than 90,000 people. Additional funds from other donors are helping to kick-start response efforts.

With the storm raging across eastern and central Madagascar, preliminary reports indicated that more than 250,000 people have been affected, with nearly 7,000 people displaced.

The office said last week that more than 65,000 homes were flooded, damaged, or destroyed, and about 600 classrooms were rendered partially or completely unusable.

OCHA said the government has called for international support and is leading search-and-rescue, evacuation, shelter and food assistance efforts, including the distribution of some 800 metric tonnes of rice, with support from the world body and partners.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Terrible news. The numbers are staggering - 25,000 houses destroyed completely. After seeing the devastation from cyclones like Amphan in our own country, I can only imagine the scale of suffering. Hope the relief reaches the people quickly.
D
David E
While the UN's $3 million is a start, it feels like a drop in the ocean for a disaster of this magnitude. The article mentions this comes after another cyclone and heavy rains. The world needs a more robust and faster response system for such recurring climate crises.
A
Anjali F
So many homes and schools damaged. The children's education will be disrupted for a long time. India should also consider offering aid and sharing our disaster management expertise. We've built some capacity in handling cyclones on the eastern coast.
S
Suresh O
The "state of national disaster" declaration was necessary. The focus now must be on shelter, clean water, and preventing disease outbreaks in the camps. The distribution of 800 tonnes of rice is crucial. Hope other nations follow the UN's lead.
K
Kavya N
This is a stark reminder of how vulnerable some nations are to climate change. My heart goes out to all the families who have lost everything. Let's not just read and move on. If possible, we should donate to reputable agencies helping on the ground.

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