At least nine people have died and 19 others have been injured after Tropical Cyclone Gezani hit Madagascar with very strong winds and heavy rain. The cyclone struck the island nation in the Indian Ocean with wind speeds of more than 195 kilometres per hour.
According to officials, the storm made landfall in the eastern port city of Toamasina. The powerful winds caused serious damage. Many buildings collapsed, trees were uprooted, and power lines were torn down, leading to electricity cuts in several areas.
The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management said the number of deaths and injuries could increase as rescue teams continue to search affected areas. Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage.
Red alerts have been issued in many regions because of the risk of flooding and landslides. Heavy rains have raised water levels in rivers and low-lying areas, making conditions dangerous for residents.
As the storm moved westward, it weakened from a cyclone to a tropical storm. However, strong winds and heavy rain continued to affect many parts of the country.
This disaster comes less than two weeks after another cyclone, Fytia, hit Madagascar and killed 14 people. The back-to-back storms have made recovery more difficult for the country.
Rescue teams and emergency services are working to help those affected and provide shelter and relief materials to families who lost their homes.