Cyclone Garance has struck Reunion Island, causing heavy rainfall and winds over 200 kilometers per hour. Residents are urged to remain indoors due to potential flooding and damage. Emergency shelters have been set up for evacuees, and the cyclone has resulted in power cuts impacting 30% of homes.
Tropical Cyclone Garance recently impacted the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, unleashing heavy rainfall and winds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph). The cyclone led to severe flooding, power outages, and structural damage across the island. Local authorities have advised residents to remain indoors as adverse weather conditions are expected to persist throughout the day.
In response to the crisis, officials reported that approximately 683 individuals sought refuge in shelters while 54 residents were evacuated as a precaution against potential floods and landslides. Fortunately, no fatalities linked to the cyclone have been documented thus far.
Currently, about 30% of households are experiencing power outages, and nearly 10% of the island’s population, numbering around 885,000, do not have access to drinking water. The prefecture reported that strong winds have caused roofs, doors, and windows to be dislodged from various buildings, prompting the dispatch of tarpaulins to the eastern region of the island to offer temporary shelter.
On Friday, the local authorities lifted the highest-level purple cyclone warning, thereby enabling rescue teams to commence operations. However, the island remains under a red warning, indicating that residents must remain indoors due to continuing adverse weather conditions.
In summary, Cyclone Garance has severely affected Reunion Island, resulting in significant property damage and a substantial number of residents losing access to essential services such as electricity and clean drinking water. Authorities have taken preventive measures by establishing emergency shelters and maintaining a red warning to ensure the safety of individuals amid ongoing severe weather.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
