Full Breakdown
Cyclone Gezani: A Dual Disaster Strikes Madagascar and Mozambique
2/15/2026, 7:50:21 AM
Overview of the Cyclone's Impact
Tropical Cyclone Gezani has wreaked havoc across Madagascar and Mozambique, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. The cyclone made landfall on February 11, 2026, hitting Madagascar's second-largest city, Toamasina, with winds reaching up to 250 km/h (155 mph). Initial reports indicate at least 40 fatalities in Madagascar, with over 12,000 people displaced and extensive damage to infrastructure.
Death Toll and Damage in Madagascar
The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) reported that the cyclone has caused at least 40 deaths, with 427 injuries and six individuals still missing. The storm has displaced approximately 12,000 people, with over 18,000 homes destroyed and an additional 50,000 damaged or flooded. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, Madagascar's leader, described the situation as catastrophic, stating that up to 75% of Toamasina has been ravaged. The cyclone's aftermath has left the city with minimal electricity and disrupted water supplies.
Conditions in Toamasina
Eyewitness accounts from residents depict a scene of devastation, with roofs torn off buildings and trees uprooted. The main road connecting Toamasina to the capital, Antananarivo, has been blocked, complicating humanitarian efforts. The World Food Programme's Madagascar director, Tania Goosens, emphasized the overwhelming scale of destruction, noting that the city is operating at roughly 5% of its normal electricity capacity.
Mozambique Braces for Impact
As Cyclone Gezani weakened after crossing Madagascar, it is expected to regain strength over the Mozambique Channel and potentially strike southern Mozambique. Authorities in Mozambique have issued warnings about the approaching storm, predicting violent winds and rough seas. The country is already grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding that has affected over 700,000 people since the beginning of the year.
Official Statements and International Response
Colonel Randrianirina has called for "international solidarity" to support urgent relief operations in Madagascar. In response, France has dispatched food aid and rescue teams from its Reunion Island. The United Nations has also released $3 million from its emergency response fund to assist Madagascar in dealing with the cyclone's impacts.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics have pointed out that Madagascar's vulnerability to cyclones is exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and poverty, which leave many residents without proper shelter during such disasters. The BNGRC has noted that many of the fatalities were due to building collapses, highlighting the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
There are discrepancies in the reported death tolls and damage assessments. While some sources indicate at least 40 deaths in Madagascar, others report figures as low as 31. Additionally, the extent of damage in surrounding regions remains unclear as assessments continue.
What's Next
As Cyclone Gezani approaches Mozambique, residents are urged to evacuate areas at risk of severe weather. The cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean typically lasts from November to April, and forecasters warn that Gezani could strengthen again, posing further threats to both Madagascar and Mozambique in the coming days.
