Four Montfortian communities affected by Cyclone Gezani
[FR]
TAMATAVE, Madagascar - On Tuesday afternoon, February 10, 2026 Cyclone Gezani crossed the city of Tamatave in Madagascar. A week earlier, the meteorological services had already announced the presence of a cloud zone in the Indian Ocean that could develop into a cyclone. At that time, the phenomenon was still very weak and did not cause great concern. But a few days later, it intensified into a very strong tropical cyclone.
It truly struck the population of Tamatave, as the weather was perfectly calm during the afternoon. Then, suddenly, around 6:00 PM, an incredibly violent wind arose, destroying houses, uprooting trees, and destroying all vegetation. After about an hour, the wind subsided temporarily before returning from the east for nearly two hours. This second phase was the most violent, causing significant material damage and loss of life.
Buildings were destroyed: often only the walls remained standing, the roofs having been torn off, whether it was churches, administrative buildings, schools, or hospitals. Trees were destroyed, even some trees known for their resilience, such as eucalyptus, lychee, coconut, and palm trees, were not spared. The lush greenery that had made Tamatave famous was devastated. The city was overrun with debris and garbage; power poles had fallen, and electrical wires littered the roads; there was no electricity or water. The inhabitants of Tamatave were living in extreme poverty. More than 58 people had died, with dozens missing and hundreds injured.
Regarding the Montfortian communitie, four communities were severely affected: Salazamay, Andranomadio Jean XXIII, Sacré-Cœur, and the Novitiate.
Salazamay community suffered the most damage: 67 meters of the perimeter wall collapsed; the roof of the mother house, the panels, and the central door were torn off. Many belongings inside were damaged or soaked. The main gate was swept away. Only the walls of the guesthouse remain standing. All the trees were uprooted. At the Novitiate, all the trees, large and small, that characterized the pilgrimage site and the formation house, were uprooted. The veranda and the central door were damaged. The room of Father Maître and that of Father Faniry were affected. Some sections of the ceiling collapsed, and the roof sustained minor damage. The statue of Father de Montfort and the glass case protecting it were completely destroyed.
Jean XXIII community: Most of the church roof has been torn off; the sacristy is destroyed; the recently built parish hall is severely damaged. A Nissan vehicle used by Father Liva was damaged by falling concrete blocks. Part of the school was also damaged. Sacred Heart: The windows above the community house were shattered, flooding the interior. The roof of the building where books and various materials were stored was ripped off; thousands of books are wet and damaged, as well as much equipment. The perimeter wall is destroyed, and all the trees have fallen.
Thus, Tamatave is in a state of near-total destruction. The population is facing great hardship, and this is having a considerable impact on the pastoral mission. We need prayers.
Fr. Joseph Victor, SMM
Communication from Madagascar
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