A tropical storm has hit the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, killing at least three people and leaving thousands without power or access to drinking water. Tropical Cyclone Garance brought strong winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour, causing widespread damage and flooding. Authorities have reported 182,000 people without electricity and 171,000 with no clean water.
Residents were ordered to stay indoors as the cyclone brought torrential rains and powerful gusts. Emergency shelters accommodated over 800 people, while others were evacuated due to risk of landslides or flooding. Officials lifted a purple warning on Friday morning but the island remained under a red warning, cautioning residents to remain indoors.
The national weather agency Meteo France reported winds reaching 214 kilometers per hour at the main airport. Reunion Island, located off Africa’s Mayotte territory, has faced devastating cyclones in the past, including Cyclone Chido, which left widespread destruction and an estimated 40 deaths last year.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/reunion-island-cyclone-garance-damages-d20ddf429639502e67f97089626bc7ec