Intense Tropical Cyclone Garance was a powerful tropical cyclone which impacted Réunion and Mauritius. The seventh named storm and fifth intense tropical cyclone of the 2024–25 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Garance originated from a tropical disturbance which was spotted on 24 February to the east of Madagascar.

At least five fatalities have been reported in connection to the cyclone, while damage estimates currently stand at $170–220 million (160 to 200 million euros).[1]

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Météo-France started monitoring an area of disturbed weather that would become Garance on 24 February. It was spotted on the northeastern part of Madagascar and moved away from the island before gradually intensifying to moderate tropical storm the next day, receiving the name Garance as a result. Through the next couple of days, Garance moved southwards and entered a rapid intensification phase. It would become an intense tropical cyclone on 27 February, and made landfall at 10:00 Réunion time near Sainte-Suzanne, in the north part of Réunion as a tropical cyclone.

Preparations and impact

Rainfall, trajectory and damage by Garance in La Réunion.

Réunion

Ahead of the cyclone, schools were closed in Réunion on the afternoon of 26 February, with a red alert being raised at 19:00 Réunion time the next day.[2] A higher alert – the purple alert – was then issued in Réunion on 28 February as the cyclone neared the island.[3]

At least four people were killed in Réunion due to the cyclone, while two others were reported missing.[4] Garance also left 42% of the island's customers without power.[5]

Cyclone Garance brought extreme weather conditions, with violent winds reaching up to 234km/h (145mph), torrential rainfall, and severe flooding across the islands. The destruction has been immense, affecting infrastructure, homes, and essential services. In addition, over a thousand people have been displaced from their homes and are currently being housed in emergency shelters.

Mauritius

Schools were closed for two days due to the bad weather in Mauritius. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport was temporarily closed due to these weather conditions.

The cyclone caused adverse weather conditions on the island. High swell warnings were issued, with waves reaching 5 to 7 meters in the open sea, increasing the risk of coastal flooding, particularly on the north and west coasts.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Le passage du cyclone Garance à La Réunion va coûter 160 à 200 millions d'euros au secteur de l'assurance". Outre-mer la 1ère (in French). 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  2. ^ "Cyclone Garance puts Mauritius, La Reunion on high alert". France 24. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025. The red alert will be triggered at 7.00 pm, authorities announced, with the cyclone expected to reach its closest point to the island early Friday. A red alert measure requires the population to stay indoors and only emergency services can move around the island. Schools were closed from Wednesday afternoon.
  3. ^ "La Reunion island under 'purple alert' as Cyclone Garance approaches". France 24. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Four dead after cyclone Garance hits French island of La Reunion". reuters.com. 1 March 2025.
  5. ^ "One dead, two missing as cyclone Garance hits French island of La Reunion". Reuters. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
Allikas: Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Garance
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