Typhoon Gezani formed from a tropical depression in the Indian Ocean around February 8, quickly reaching typhoon level in just 48 hours.
By the afternoon of February 10, Gezani officially reached super typhoon level with the strongest wind near the center reaching 185km/h, and reaching a maximum of 205km/h, according to the United Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).
According to the latest storm news from the Madagascar meteorological agency, when making landfall, the storm had winds over 185 km/h, gusts of nearly 270 km/h - strong enough to tear roofs and knock down large trees.
Heavy rain from 100-150mm in 24 hours could cause widespread flooding. A series of areas were issued red alerts about the risk of flooding and landslides. At least 33 people were injured, 15 missing and more than 2,700 people had to evacuate to avoid the storm. Most of the casualties were concentrated in Toamasina - where there are about 300,000 people.
Images from the scene show many residential areas deeply flooded, roofs blown off, broken windows, broken power poles and green trees lying scattered on the roads. The presidential office said that about 75% of the city's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. Power grids in Toamasina have been cut since the storm began to affect.
After entering the mainland, the storm forecast shows that Gezani gradually weakens into a tropical depression as it moves westward, near the northern area of Antananarivo capital - which is also in the red alert area due to the risk of flooding.
The Regional Meteorological Center (CMRS) believes this landing may be one of the strongest events ever recorded in the satellite era, with a level equivalent to Hurricane Geralda in 1994 - a disaster that killed at least 200 people and affected half a million people.
Although weakening and degrading to a tropical depression when entering the inland, storm forecasts show that Gezani is likely to accelerate and strengthen again as it moves out into the Mozambique canal. Meteo Madagascar said the system may enter the sea area between Maintirano and Morondava on the evening or night of February 12, continuing to head towards the mainland of Africa.
Madagascar is considered one of the most vulnerable countries to storms from the Indian Ocean. Just 11 days earlier, storm Fytia killed 14 people and forced more than 85,000 people to leave their homes.
The storm season here usually lasts from November to March, continuously putting great pressure on infrastructure and people's lives.
The United Nations has urgently disbursed 3 million USD to support Madagascar in responding to the impact of Typhoon Gezani, in the context that this country has continuously suffered many storms and tropical depressions in recent years.
The diễn biến of the storm, storm forecast bulletins and extreme weather warnings continue to be closely monitored by functional agencies, when the risk of heavy rain, flash floods and landslides is still high.
Tourists in Madagascar need to follow the instructions of local authorities and continuously follow official weather forecasts and storm forecasts.
Roads may be cut off due to rapid flooding or landslides, and electricity and communication may also be disrupted.
