Monstrous': Cyclone Gezani hits Madagascar, with reports of severe damage

"Madagascar's national weather service has said that hurricane-force winds and heavy rains are expected to continue as Cyclone Gezani makes its way across the Indian Ocean island nation over the coming hours, as residents report widespread damage. Meteo Madagascar warned in an update at 1am local time on Wednesday (22:00 GMT) that widespread flooding, flash floods, and landslides are highly likely, as the cyclone makes its way towards the country's central highlands from east to west overnight and throughout Wednesday."

"It's monstrous. Everything is devastated, roofs have been blown off, floors are flooded, the walls of solid houses have collapsed, a resident of Toamasina, a port city on Madagascar's east coast, told AFP by telephone when communications briefly returned. And I'm talking about the nice neighbourhoods, with well-built houses, said the resident, who had been left without electricity since the afternoon, five hours before the cyclone hit."

Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar 11 days after Cyclone Fytia, which killed 12 people and displaced 31,000. The national weather service warned of continuing hurricane-force winds, heavy rains and a high likelihood of widespread flooding, flash floods and landslides as Gezani moves toward the central highlands. Red alerts were issued for Analanjirofo, Atsinanana, Alaotra Mangoro, Analamanga and Betsiboka. Residents reported flooding, power outages and extensive home damage, including collapsed walls and blown-off roofs. Toamasina port was directly hit by Gezani's most intense part, and forecasters said the landfall rivalled the most intense satellite-era events.

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