Madagascar reels from Cyclone Gezani: 36 killed, hundreds injured

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - The death toll from Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar rose to 36 on Thursday, with six people reported missing and 374 seriously injured.

The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management reported that 257,222 homes were damaged, 11,890 pool houses affected, and 37,253 buildings damaged. The number of displaced people stood at 8,852.

Of the 36 deaths, 32 were in the city of Toamasina, two in Ambatondrazaka, and one each in Anjozorobe and Brickaville.

“These statistics are received from the five regions and 18 districts most affected by Cyclone Gezani,” the disaster agency said, citing the regions as Atsinanana, Analamanga, Analanjirofo, Alaotra Mangoro and Itasy.

The agency said 17,980 buildings were completely destroyed, 490 schools lost roofs entirely, and 48 accommodation sites were damaged across the 18 districts in the five regions.

Authorities said international partners have provided aid to the Indian Ocean island nation, which was still recovering from Cyclone Fytia two weeks ago, which killed 12 people.