On 27 February, tropical cyclone GARANCE continued moving south while strengthening. On 28 February around 6.00 UTC, it made landfall over the north of Réunion, with maximum winds of 179 km/h.
According to media, emergency accommodation centres have opened across Réunion. Around 500 people already evacuated, and schools and airports are closed.
GARANCE is forecast to move southward over central Réunion on 28 February in the morning, slightly weakening.
Copernicus EMS was activated (EMSR790) on 27 February.
Meanwhile, tropical cyclone HONDE continued eastwards over the Mozambique Channel toward Madagascar. On 28 February at 6.00 UTC, it was located offshore approximately 80 km south of the south-western Madagascar coast, with maximum winds of 137 km/h.
Over the next 24 hours, very heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges are forecast over Réunion, while heavy rainfall is forecast over Mauritius. Météo France La Réunion issued the purple cyclone alert over the whole island. Over the next 72 hours, heavy rainfall with locally very heavy rainfall is forecast over southern and central Madagascar.
