Cyclone Gezani has inflicted considerable damage across southern Mozambique, resulting in at least four fatalities and widespread infrastructural destruction. The powerful storm made landfall on Saturday, battering the coastal province of Inhambane with ferocious winds and torrential rain. This meteorological onslaught plunged thousands into darkness and severed vital water supplies, compounding the nation's existing vulnerabilities. Mozambique is still grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods that recently affected hundreds of thousands.
The city of Inhambane experienced the most severe impact from Gezani’s fury, with wind speeds reaching an alarming 215 kilometres per hour. Reports from the region indicate trees were uprooted and power lines toppled, causing extensive power outages for over 13,000 residents. The disruption to essential services, particularly water supplies cut off in several districts, has presented significant challenges for affected communities.
This cyclone’s arrival occurred at a particularly vulnerable time for Mozambique. The country had only recently begun to recover from extreme flooding that inundated vast areas, impacting over 700,000 people. The cumulative effect of these successive natural disasters poses a formidable challenge for humanitarian organisations and the Mozambican government. Scientists suggest climate change is a significant factor in the increasing frequency and intensity of such weather events.
The devastation wrought by Cyclone Gezani also extended to Madagascar, an island nation to the east. Official figures indicate the cyclone was far more deadly there, with at least 41 reported deaths. The economic toll is also substantial, with estimated damages reaching approximately $142 million. The storm left a significant number of injured individuals requiring medical attention, and displaced approximately 16,300 people. The Malagasy government has declared a national state of emergency.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is closely monitoring the situation in both countries, coordinating international assistance efforts. These overlapping crises underscore the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and global action to mitigate climate change. The resilience of the affected populations will undoubtedly be tested as they confront the aftermath of Cyclone Gezani and the ongoing threat of a changing climate.