Cyclone Gizani: Deaths and destruction in Mozambique and Madagascar
The death toll from natural disasters in southern Africa has risen, with Cyclone Gizani at least four lives in Inhambane province in southern Mozambique , local authorities announced on Saturday. This tragic development comes just days after the same cyclone devastated Madagascar , leaving dozens dead and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Details of the cyclone and its impact on Mozambique
According to the Mozambican Meteorological Service, the cyclone struck the coast with record-breaking winds of 215 kilometers per hour . The worst damage was concentrated in Inhambane, one of the largest and most vulnerable cities in the south due to its geographical location. The city and surrounding area have a population of approximately 100,000 and are located about 500 kilometers from the capital, Maputo.
The powerful tropical storm brought infrastructure to a standstill, leaving more than 130,000 people without power, according to national electricity companies. Images circulating on social media showed horrific scenes of ancient trees and power lines uprooted by the wind, as well as metal roofs blown off homes, forcing residents to seek refuge in temporary shelters, including the Monte Carlo Hotel, which housed residents from affected impoverished neighborhoods.
Disaster in Madagascar: Total Devastation
Before reaching Mozambique, Cyclone Gizani left a deep scar on the island of Madagascar. Authorities there reported at least 40 deaths, with widespread destruction in Toamasina , the country's second-largest city with a population of 400,000. Madagascar's President, Michel Randrianireina, stated that approximately 75% of the city was destroyed, prompting the government to declare a national state of emergency. Initial estimates of the material losses are around $142 million.
Geographical and climatic context: a region under threat
Southeast Africa, particularly the Mozambique Channel and the Indian Ocean coast, is one of the most tropical cyclone-prone regions in the world. Countries like Mozambique and Madagascar experience an annual cyclone season that typically runs from November to April, but the frequency and intensity of these storms have increased significantly in recent years.
Climate experts and UN agencies link this increase in extreme weather violence to the effects of climate change . Rising water temperatures in the Indian Ocean provide storms with more energy, transforming them into devastating cyclones that strike land with far greater force. These countries face significant economic challenges that hinder their ability to build disaster-resistant infrastructure, meaning each new cyclone sets back development efforts and exacerbates poverty and internal displacement.
