Just weeks after Cyclone Fytia wreaked havoc, Madagascar is reeling from yet another devastating blow: Cyclone Gezani. This relentless cycle of destruction raises a chilling question: is this the new normal for island nations in the face of climate change?
Published on February 11, 2026, reports paint a grim picture. Madagascar’s national weather service warns of hurricane-force winds and torrential rains as Gezani carves its path across the island. Residents describe scenes of widespread devastation, with homes reduced to rubble, roofs torn away, and entire neighborhoods submerged. "It’s monstrous," a resident of Toamasina, a port city on the east coast, told AFP. "Even the well-built houses haven’t been spared."
And this is the part most people miss: Gezani struck just 11 days after Cyclone Fytia killed 12 people and displaced 31,000 in northwestern Madagascar. This alarming frequency of powerful storms is a stark reminder of the escalating threat posed by climate change. Rising sea levels and warmer ocean temperatures are fueling more intense and frequent tropical storms, putting island nations like Madagascar on the frontlines of this global crisis.
Meteo Madagascar issued red alerts, signaling imminent danger, for several northeastern regions, including Analanjirofo, Atsinanana, Alaotra Mangoro, Analamanga, and Betsiboka. The agency predicts widespread flooding, flash floods, and landslides as the cyclone moves westward across the central highlands.
The CMRS cyclone forecaster on Reunion Island confirmed that Toamasina port bore the brunt of Gezani’s fury, experiencing the storm’s most intense phase. Experts compare its landfall intensity to Cyclone Geralda in 1994, which left a trail of death and destruction in its wake.
While Gezani weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland, it’s expected to regain cyclone strength as it crosses the Mozambique Channel. This relentless march towards the African mainland underscores the far-reaching impact of these storms.
The human toll is staggering. According to the UN’s humanitarian agency, OCHA, Cyclone Fytia alone flooded, damaged, or destroyed 18,600 homes, 493 classrooms, and 20 health facilities. Rice fields, a lifeline for many, suffered extensive losses, and contaminated drinking water supplies pose a serious public health risk.
But here's where it gets controversial: As climate change intensifies, some argue that the focus should shift from disaster response to proactive measures like climate adaptation and mitigation. Is it enough to simply rebuild after each storm, or do we need a fundamental shift in how we approach development in vulnerable regions?
The devastation caused by Cyclones Fytia and Gezani serves as a stark warning. The question is, will we heed it? What do you think? Are we doing enough to address the root causes of climate change and protect vulnerable communities? Let us know in the comments below.
