Tropical Cyclone Gezani hits Madagascar and crushes houses; death toll at 31

Tropical Cyclone Gezani devastates Madagascar, causing 31 deaths and widespread destruction as authorities issue flood warnings.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani collapsed houses in Madagascar's main port city and left at least 31 people dead as it crossed the Indian Ocean island with high winds and rain, authorities said on Wednesday (February 11, 2026).

Madagascar's weather service issued red alerts for several regions warning of possible floods and landslides as the storm made landfall late Tuesday with wind speeds of more than 195 kph (121 mph). It then roared across the large island of 31 million people, many of whom live in poverty and have inadequate shelter from storms.

Madagascar is especially vulnerable to cyclones blowing in off the Indian Ocean and was battered by another deadly cyclone less than two weeks ago.

The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management said building collapses caused some of the at least 31 deaths, and at least 36 other people were seriously injured as Gezani made landfall in the eastern city of Toamasina. The agency said four people were missing and more than 6,000 people were displaced from their homes.

People survey the damage done by cyclone Gezina in Toamasina, Madagascar, on February 11, 2026 | Photo Credit: AP

Toamasina, with around 300,000 residents, sustained severe damage, residents told The Associated Press. The majority of the deaths were in that region, authorities said.