Cyclone Garance Claims 3 Lives In French Overseas Territory Reunion Island

NAIROBI (Kenya), March 1 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Cyclone Garance struck Reunion Island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, on Friday, resulting in at least three deaths and infrastructure damage, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

Prefect Patrice Latron of Reunion Island, in a statement acknowledging the three fatalities, said as many as 182,000 people were left without power, 171,000 lacked clean water, and 134,000 had no internet. He said a red alert would continue through Saturday.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou also confirmed the death toll on his X account saying the cyclone is still threatening the island. "I call for compliance with the instructions of local authorities. Gratitude to the State services that are helping us get through this ordeal,” he said.

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The cyclone's intense winds and heavy rainfall led to widespread power outages, water supply disruptions, and extensive property damage across the island.

According to authorities, the storm made landfall with maximum sustained winds exceeding 200 kilometres per hour (124 miles per hour), uprooting trees, tearing off roofs, and causing severe flooding in various regions.

The cyclone prompted authorities to issue a maximum alert, confining residents to their homes and suspending all non-essential activities.

Emergency services have been mobilised to assess the damage, restore essential services, and provide assistance to those affected.

The distribution of tarpaulins and other emergency supplies is scheduled to commence on Saturday to aid in temporary shelters and repairs.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU