Cyclone Gezani kills four in Mozambique as Madagascar assesses damage
Al Jazeera
February 15, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Cyclone Gezani has caused significant destruction across Mozambique and Madagascar, leaving a trail of loss and disruption in its wake. In Mozambique, the storm hit the southern coastal province of Inhambane, resulting in at least four deaths and widespread damage. Winds reaching up to 215 km per hour (134 mph) felled trees and power lines, leaving over 13,000 people without electricity. Water supplies were also disrupted in several districts of the city of Inhambane, home to approximately 100,000 residents.
The cyclone’s impact on Madagascar was even more severe, with at least 41 lives lost just a day before its arrival in Mozambique. The storm caused an estimated $142 million in damage, displacing over 16,300 people and injuring at least 427. In the city of Toamasina, where 75% of the population was left without shelter, the destruction was catastrophic. The World Food Programme reported that 80% of the city had been damaged, with only 5% of its electricity still functioning.
The situation highlights the growing threat of climate change, which has intensified the frequency and severity of such weather-related disasters. Mozambique is still recovering from recent floods that affected over 700,000 people and destroyed more than 170,000 homes. As these regions continue to grapple with the aftermath of Cyclone Gezani, the need for international aid and climate resilience measures becomes increasingly urgent.
This disaster underscores the vulnerability of communities in Mozambique and Madagascar to extreme weather events. The loss of life and infrastructure emphasizes the critical importance of preparedness and adaptation strategies to mitigate future impacts. As global temperatures rise, such incidents are likely to become more common, making efforts to address climate change a pressing priority for affected nations and the international community alike.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/15/2026