Madagascar: Cyclone leaves dozens dead

A powerful cyclone with winds reaching 250 kilometres per hour has killed at least 31 people on Madagascar’s east coast, as reported by France 24 and agencies on February 11th.

Cyclone Gezani made landfall on February 10th in the port city of Toamasina, the country’s second-largest city, bringing violent winds and severe flooding that destroyed homes and left widespread destruction in its wake.

According to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNRGC), many victims were killed when their houses collapsed under the force of the storm. At least 36 people were seriously injured.

More than 2,740 residents were evacuated from coastal areas as a precaution before the cyclone moved inland. In total, 6,870 people were displaced by the storm, while 250,406 have been classified as disaster victims.

“What happened is a disaster: nearly 75 [per cent] of the city of Toamasina was destroyed,” said Madagascar’s new leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who travelled to the city ahead of the cyclone’s arrival to support residents.

Randrianirina, who heads the elite military unit known as CAPSAT, was sworn in as president on October 17th, 2025, following the ousting of President Andry Rajoelina, who was forced to flee the country after a military coup in which CAPSAT was involved.

“The current situation exceeds Madagascar’s capabilities alone,” he added, calling on international partners and donors to assist the impoverished island nation.

Prior to the cyclone, Madagacans were already experiencing regular water and power shortages, while the national statistical institute estimates that more than 70 per cent of houses are built using precarious materials, including clay, branches or foliage.

Drone footage released by the disaster management authority showed extensive flooding across the coastal city of around 400,000 residents, located roughly 220 kilometres northeast of the capital Antananarivo. Residents were seen wading through water-filled streets, while buildings were partially stripped of their roofs.

Trees were uprooted across the city, and debris littered the roads, rendering many routes impassable. The surrounding Atsinanana region also suffered severe damage, authorities said, with assessments still ongoing.

“It’s total chaos: 90 [per cent] of house roofs have been blown off, entirely or in part,” said Rija Randrianarisoa, head of disaster management at Action Against Hunger. He added that roads were “completely inaccessible” due to fallen trees and scattered sheet metal.

Officials continue to evaluate the full scale of the destruction as emergency teams work to assist affected communities.

France 24 and agencies, Maghrebi.org