In brief
Cyclone Garance has swept through Reunion, resulting in three fatalities, extensive power outages, and a major mobilization of emergency services.
Three individuals have lost their lives in Reunion as Cyclone Garance, characterized by gusts reaching up to 234km/h (145mph), slammed into the French territory in the Indian Ocean. The cyclone, which made landfall on Friday morning, left over 180,000 homes without electricity and approximately 170,000 residents lacking running water. In response to the severe conditions, officials mandated that the entire population, including emergency and law enforcement personnel, remain indoors as the situation escalated to a maximum alert.As night fell on Friday, heavy rainfall continued to batter the island, prompting warnings from Prime Minister Francois Bayrou regarding the ongoing threat posed by the cyclone. Prefect Patrice Latron described the situation as "brutal and violent," surpassing the devastation seen during Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four deaths on the island in January 2024.Cyclone Garance made landfall at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT) in the northern region of the island, rapidly moving southward and exiting by late afternoon, according to meteorological authorities. By midday, local officials downgraded the alert level to facilitate the recovery efforts of emergency responders.Local resident Vincent Clain, 45, expressed his fear, stating, "This is the first time I've seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I've been afraid." In light of the destruction, around 100 soldiers and firefighters from the nearby French territory of Mayotte, roughly 1,500 km (930 miles) away, were on standby for deployment as soon as conditions permitted. Additionally, 100 personnel from mainland France are also prepared for assistance. Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man is reported missing in Mauritius after being swept away by rough seas earlier this week. France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has remarked on the "rare intensity” of Cyclone Garance, with Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirming that armed forces are ready to provide further support if needed.
