Cyclone Gezani May Make Second Landfall in Madagascar

Cyclone Gezani, which has already left at least 59 people dead in Madagascar, is forecast to make a second landfall in the country’s southwest after looping back across the Mozambique Channel, authorities said.

According to Madagascar’s National Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC), the storm displaced 16,428 people, left 15 missing, injured 804 and affected more than 423,000 residents. The cyclone struck just 10 days after Tropical Cyclone Fytia killed 14 people and displaced over 31,000, adding pressure to emergency response systems.

At its peak, Gezani recorded sustained winds of about 185 km/h, with gusts nearing 270 km/h strong enough to tear off metal roofing and uproot large trees. After moving westward into the Mozambique Channel, the system is now forecast to curve back eastward toward Madagascar.

The national weather service has placed Ampanihy district in southwestern Madagascar on red alert. Forecasts indicate the storm could pass roughly 100 km off the coast on Monday evening, bringing winds of around 65 km/h. Authorities said heavy rainfall is not currently expected, though monitoring continues.

Mozambique’s weather service also reported heavy winds and waves reaching up to 10 metres along parts of the southern coastline as the storm crossed the channel.

Officials are continuing damage assessments while emergency services remain on alert in anticipation of the potential second impact.

Source: Reuters