Cyclone Garance Triggers Highest Alert in Réunion as Residents Brace for Impact
As of Friday morning, the island of Réunion has declared the highest alert in response to the impending arrival of tropical cyclone Garance. This French overseas territory, located in the Indian Ocean approximately 700 kilometers east of Madagascar, is home to nearly 870,000 inhabitants. The cyclone, which is currently just a few dozen kilometers away, has prompted local authorities to issue a purple alert effective at 9 AM local time (6 AM in Italy). Officials have warned that the island could experience wind gusts exceeding 200 kilometers per hour.
Residents have been strongly urged to stay indoors as the cyclone approaches. The prefect of the island highlighted the severity of the situation, underscoring the potential danger that the storm poses to the region.
This event comes on the heels of Réunion's recent involvement in providing aid to the neighboring archipelago of Mayotte, which suffered from devastating impacts last December when it was hit by both a violent tropical cyclone and the subsequent Dikeledi storm. These incidents resulted in significant destruction and loss of life.
As the island prepares for what could be a catastrophic weather event, the community is rallying together, following the guidance of local authorities and staying informed about further developments.
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