Mozambique is reeling after Cyclone Gezani tore across its northern coastline, killing at least four people and displacing thousands, while neighbouring Madagascar has begun assessing widespread damage from the same storm system that battered its eastern regions earlier this week.
Authorities in Mozambique confirmed that the fatalities occurred in Nampula Province, where heavy rains and destructive winds triggered flooding, toppled homes, and cut off major road networks. Emergency teams said the victims included two children, underscoring the vulnerability of rural communities living in fragile housing structures.
Mozambique Faces Rising Humanitarian Needs
Local officials reported that Gezani made landfall with sustained winds strong enough to uproot trees, destroy crops, and damage public infrastructure. Several districts remain inaccessible due to washed‑out bridges and submerged roads, complicating rescue and relief operations.
The National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) said more than 10,000 people have been affected so far, with temporary shelters set up in schools and community centres. Aid agencies warn that the number could rise as communication is restored with remote areas.
“We are working around the clock to reach families who have lost everything,” an INGD spokesperson said, noting that food supplies, clean water, and medical assistance are urgently needed. Health officials are also monitoring for potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases, which often follow severe flooding in the region.
Madagascar Begins Assessing Damage After Storm’s First Impact
Before striking Mozambique, Cyclone Gezani swept across parts of Madagascar, bringing torrential rain and strong winds that damaged homes, flooded farmland, and disrupted power lines. While no immediate deaths were reported there, authorities say the full extent of the destruction is still being evaluated.
Initial assessments indicate that several eastern districts experienced significant crop losses, raising concerns about food security in communities already grappling with economic hardship. Madagascar’s disaster management bureau said teams are surveying affected zones and coordinating with humanitarian partners to determine priority needs.
A Region Increasingly Exposed to Climate Extremes
Cyclone Gezani is the latest in a series of powerful storms to hit southern Africa in recent years, a trend scientists link to warming ocean temperatures and shifting climate patterns. Mozambique and Madagascar, both located along the Indian Ocean cyclone corridor, face recurring threats during the annual cyclone season.
Humanitarian organisations have urged governments and international donors to invest in stronger early‑warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and long‑term climate adaptation strategies to protect vulnerable populations.
Relief Efforts Underway as Storm Weakens
As Gezani weakens while moving inland, emergency responders in Mozambique continue to search for missing persons and deliver aid to displaced families. The government has appealed for international assistance, particularly in logistics, shelter materials, and medical supplies.
For many communities, the immediate priority is survival — but the long‑term challenge of rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and repairing infrastructure looms large.
