Cyclone Gezani leaves 40 dead in Madagascar and plunges Toamasina into a water crisis

Cyclone Gezani’s Devastation in Madagascar: A Heavy Death Toll of 40 Victims and a City Brought to Its Knees by a Water Crisis

The passage of Cyclone Gezani, an exceptionally intense weather phenomenon, left a trail of destruction and human tragedy in Madagascar. Three days after its devastating impact, the official death toll already stands at 40, a figure that could continue to rise in a context where the humanitarian emergency and the need for reconstruction remain paramount. The island’s east coast, particularly the strategic city of Toamasina, was hit hard by winds reaching up to 250 km/h, triggering a series of massive floods, collapses, and disruptions to essential services. This tragedy, classified among the major natural disasters of early 2026, forcefully underscores the need for a coordinated response, involving local authorities, international organizations, and humanitarian actors, to overcome the crisis and initiate sustainable recovery. As images of flooded streets, torn-off roofs, and fallen trees proliferate, the reality is stark: a vulnerable population must now face a hostile environment, where the threat of water and food shortages is becoming increasingly urgent. The critical situation in Toamasina, facing a severe water crisis, calls for an urgent debate on resilience to extreme weather events and preparedness for the potential aftermath of this cyclone, which may not be an isolated event during the 2025-2026 cyclone season. International solidarity is being organized, but it will take much more than immediate aid to restore hope to a city in shock. Continuing this reading will allow us to analyze all facets of it, from the causes to the lasting impact. Discover everything about cyclones: their formation, effects, prevention, and safety tips to better understand and protect yourself during these powerful weather phenomena. The climatic and geographical context that contributed to the brutality of Cyclone Gezani Cyclone Gezani is part of a worrying climate trend, reflecting ongoing global change. A combination of local factors and global trends, this exceptional storm illustrates Madagascar’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. Located in a region historically prone to cyclones, the island has experienced a resurgence of violent events in recent years, amplified by the melting of sea ice and rising ocean temperatures. The formation zone, warmer than normal this year, allowed for the development of a powerful cyclone, whose trajectory required heightened vigilance. The explanation also lies in Madagascar’s unique topography. The eastern coast, particularly the Toamasina region—which serves as a gateway to the national economy—is prone to severe flooding during such storms. The weather patterns, combined with atmospheric currents, made Gezani destined for a devastating impact. The increased frequency of these events raises a crucial question: how can we effectively prepare populations and strengthen the resilience of their infrastructure in the face of a changing climate? The answer requires enhanced preparedness, integrating meteorological monitoring and the development of modern emergency response systems.

Discover everything about cyclones: training, impacts, prevention, and safety tips to better understand and protect yourself against these powerful natural phenomena.

A tragic toll: 40 victims and massive destruction in Toamasina. Official figures reveal that, in the wake of Cyclone Gezani, at least 40 deaths have been recorded, primarily in Toamasina. The city, the economic and port heart of Madagascar, now resembles a battlefield. Testimonies gathered by rescue teams describe a chaotic situation: flooded streets, collapsed buildings, uprooted trees, and stranded vehicles. The cyclone’s brutality, combined with weak infrastructure, caused immeasurable damage. Many residents, trapped by the floodwaters, drowned in containers or during collapses. The director of the World Food Programme for Madagascar points out that “only about 5% of the electricity is still operational,” exacerbating the population’s precarious situation. Relief efforts are struggling to reach all affected areas, particularly in rural outlying regions where bridges and roads are cut off. This dramatic reality compels us to reflect on the need for a strengthened civil security strategy to prevent loss of life in future disasters by anticipating the devastating effects of cyclones. International mobilization becomes a priority to support a country vulnerable to an unrelenting climate crisis.

The devastated infrastructure and the difficulty of responding to the natural disaster

The damage caused by Cyclone Gezani These events highlight the fragility of inadequate infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Uprooted trees, collapsed buildings, and shredded roads make access to disaster areas exceptionally difficult. According to a humanitarian worker deployed to the scene, “bridges are cut, roads are broken,” limiting aid distribution in a city already without water and electricity. The destruction of a UN agency warehouse illustrates this problem: vital stocks, including food, were wiped out, worsening the shortages. This situation intensifies the fight against the health and food emergency, where every second counts to save lives. The vulnerability of the communication network and essential services underscores the challenges of rapid reconstruction and recovery. The need to rethink infrastructure resilience and its robustness in the face of extreme weather events is becoming imperative. The situation in isolated areas, now deprived of everything, demonstrates that reconstruction efforts must go beyond mere repairs to incorporate a vision of sustainable development and address future climate challenges. An urgent international response: aid, expertise, and equipment for MadagascarTo address the scale of this disaster, several countries quickly mobilized their solidarity. China, for example, announced

, or approximately 11 million francs, aimed at financing the purchase of equipment and supporting local efforts. France, for its part, dispatched a mission composed of rescuers, firefighters, and specialists from Réunion Island to support the relief efforts. Switzerland also launched an aid operation comprised of water, hygiene, and sanitation experts to address the water crisis that threatens to exacerbate the situation. Their mission includes installing modules to supply 5,000 people with drinking water, as well as equipment for disinfecting contaminated wells. Strengthening civil protection, managing the emergency, and supporting rehabilitation must be part of this approach to sustainably limit the impact of the disaster. The coordination of these initiatives is of paramount importance for the long-term viability of the measures, while ensuring the transparency and effectiveness of the relief efforts.

Risks associated with the cyclone season and the threat of persistent flooding In addition to Cyclone Gezani, the 2025-2026 cyclone season is already showing alarming signs of increasing intensity. The forecast of Cyclone Gezani approaching the Mozambican coast has reignited concerns. According to the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC)

Gezani could skirt the coast of Mozambique rather than making landfall directly, but this trajectory does not eliminate the risk of heavy rainfall and destructive winds. The densely populated Inhambane region has already called on its residents to evacuate to safer areas. The threat of flooding, erosion, and population displacement therefore remains high for several months to come, requiring increased vigilance. Managing these risks must absolutely integrate a strategy of weather monitoring, community preparedness, and support for rehabilitation, particularly in vulnerable areas. There is a pressing need to build strong resilience to phenomena that now seem to be an integral part of the region’s climate.

A long-term rehabilitation plan for Madagascar in the face of natural disastersFaced with these increasingly frequent events, the rehabilitation Madagascar’s approach must be proactive, integrating prevention, adaptation, and resilience. The implementation of resilient infrastructure, such as reinforced bridges and sustainable water supply systems, is a priority. It is also essential to unite all stakeholders around a common project aimed at strengthening local capacity to cope with the cyclone season. Training and equipping civil security teams, strengthening early warning systems, and improving evacuation plans are all indispensable measures. This strategy must also consider the social and economic impact of these disasters, focusing in particular on protecting vulnerable populations and rebuilding their homes. The international community plays a vital role in these efforts, but local accountability remains essential to ensuring a safer and more resilient future. Cyclone Gezani and its aftermath underscore once again that combating climate change and managing natural disasters require collective and sustained mobilization.

Disaster Victims Affected Areas Type of DamageCyclone Gezani

40 dead

Toamasina, rural outskirts Floods, destruction of infrastructure Water crisis in Toamasina

What measures are being considered to strengthen resilience against future cyclones?

It is necessary to strengthen infrastructure, improve weather monitoring, raise public awareness, and develop sustainable rehabilitation strategies. Source: www.rts.ch