Cyclone Gezani's Impact on Madagascar and Mozambique

Cyclone Gezani made landfall on February 10, 2026, devastating Madagascar's eastern coastal city of Toamasina, which is home to approximately 400,000 residents. The cyclone brought winds reaching 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles per hour), resulting in significant destruction. As of February 16, the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) reported at least 59 fatalities, with over 16,000 people displaced and more than 423,000 affected by the disaster. The cyclone also caused extensive damage to infrastructure, with approximately 25,000 homes destroyed and 27,000 others flooded. The government has declared a national emergency and is appealing for international aid.

Cyclone Gezani kills 59 in MadagascarCyclone Gezani kills 38 in MadagascarCyclone in Madagascar kills 38, six missing, 12,000 displacedCyclone Gezani kills four in Mozambique: officialsPope prays for Madagascar cyclone victimsReutersAl Jazeera (website)

Following its impact on Madagascar, Cyclone Gezani affected Mozambique's southern coastal province of Inhambane, where it killed at least four people. The storm, which skirted about 50 kilometers (30 miles) off the coast, brought winds of up to 215 kilometers per hour (134 miles per hour), leading to power outages for over 130,000 residents and significant damage to infrastructure. The national electric company reported that many areas were left without power and water supplies were disrupted.

Cyclone Gezani kills four in Mozambique: officialsAl Jazeera (website)Cyclone Gezani kills 59 in MadagascarReutersCyclone Gezani kills 38 in MadagascarCyclone in Madagascar kills 38, six missing, 12,000 displacedPope prays for Madagascar cyclone victims

In response to the crisis, Madagascar's government, alongside the United Nations and various humanitarian organizations, has mobilized search-and-rescue teams and is providing emergency shelter, food, and medical assistance. The World Food Programme's Madagascar director, Tania Goosens, described the situation as "overwhelming," with Toamasina operating on roughly 5% of its electricity and lacking water. International support has begun to arrive, with China offering 100 million yuan (approximately $14.5 million) and France dispatching food and rescue teams from its island of La Reunion.

Pope prays for Madagascar cyclone victims

Despite the mobilization of resources, critics highlight the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by Madagascar, which is already one of the world's poorest countries. The compounded effects of Cyclone Gezani, following closely on the heels of Cyclone Fytia, underscore the urgent need for sustainable disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies in the region.

Pope prays for Madagascar cyclone victims

• “the scale of destruction is overwhelming” — Tania Goosens, World Food Programme Madagascar Director

Al Jazeera (website)

• “ravaged up to 75 percent of Toamasina and surrounds” — Colonel Michael Randrianirina, Madagascar's Leader

Cyclone Gezani kills 38 in Madagascar

• “I pray for the victims and their families, and for all those who have suffered serious damage,” — Pope Leo XIV

Pope prays for Madagascar cyclone victims

There are discrepancies in the reported death tolls from Cyclone Gezani. While some sources cite at least 41 deaths in Madagascar, others report the toll as high as 59. Additionally, the number of displaced individuals varies, with reports indicating figures from 16,000 to over 16,428. The situation remains fluid as assessments continue.

Pope prays for Madagascar cyclone victims

As Cyclone Gezani is forecasted to loop back toward Madagascar, authorities have placed the Ampanihy district on red alert. The cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean typically lasts from November to April, and ongoing monitoring is essential as the region braces for further storms.

Reuters