In the gentle both of the Indian Ocean, where waves often reflect the lazy shimmer of sunlight, nature can sometimes remind us of its vast and unpredictable power. When a cyclone gathers its strength over warm waters, the horizon seems to pulse with wind and rain that cannot be seen but can be felt in every trembling leaf and lapping tide. This was the scene as Cyclone Gezani made its way toward Madagascar on the night of February 10, 2026 — a journey that would touch thousands of lives with loss, disruption, and the urgent work of rebuilding.

For many inhabitants of Madagascar, the arrival of Gezani was not an abstract concern but a profound disruption to everyday life. Winds uplifted roofs, torrential rains breached homes, and communities found themselves in retreat from forces that felt much larger than any one person’s world. By early February, officials reported that at least 59 people had been killed, and over 16,000 people displaced from their homes, as the storm ripped through cities and countryside alike.

The port city of Toamasina, a coastal hub of life and trade, bore the initial brunt of the cyclone’s fury. Streets that once bustled with market activity became waterways of mud and debris, and houses that had stood for generations lay in shattered fragments. Officials said that injuries numbered in the hundreds and that many more people were still unaccounted for, their fate uncertain amid the rubble.

This cyclone did not occur in isolation. It followed closely on the heels of Tropical Cyclone Fytia, which struck just days earlier, adding another layer of hardship to communities already trying to recover. The back-to-back storms underscore a vulnerability that often accompanies island nations — where the ebb and flow of seasonal weather can bring both life-giving rains and catastrophic loss.

Cyclone Gezani’s winds, at times exceeding 185 km per hour, were powerful enough not only to flatten homes but also to uproot trees and damage critical infrastructure. Local authorities described entire neighbourhoods without electricity or water, with residents forced into temporary shelters, relying on limited supplies and the goodwill of relief workers.

In the wake of such destruction, there are always stories of both vulnerability and resilience. In displacement camps, families shared tales of narrow escapes and the hope that they will return to rebuilt homes. Aid organisations and volunteers moved between sites, distributing food, blankets, and medical care where it was most needed. There was an unspoken understanding that healing, much like recovery from any profound storm, is a journey measured in small steps and sustained by shared strength.

Beneath the headlines of numbers and statistics lies a deeper human thread: the ordinary rhythms of life that were interrupted, then slowly begin again. Children return to makeshift schools, elders gather what remains of their gardens, and neighbours help one another as the first shoots of spring emerge. In spaces once submerged by storm waters, there is a quiet reawakening — a testament to both fragility and perseverance.

In straightforward news terms, Madagascar’s disaster management office reported that at least 59 people have died and 16,428 have been displaced due to Cyclone Gezani. Hundreds were injured and thousands more affected across multiple regions. National authorities, together with international partners, continue rescue and relief operations, with forecasts suggesting possible additional effects as the weather system moves through the Mozambique Channel.

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Source Check Credible worldwide news outlets reporting on Cyclone Gezani’s impact on Madagascar include:

Reuters Euronews Africanews Hindustan Times Xinhua