The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is closely monitoring a moderate tropical storm named Gezani, currently located over the south-west Indian Ocean. Gezani, named by South Africa, marks the seventh named system of the 2025/26 south-west Indian Ocean cyclone season.

ALSO READ: Tropical Storm Gezani update: SAWS monitors system with no direct threat to South Africa

According to Faytuks Network Weather, cyclone Gezani made landfall yesterday, February 10, at Toamasina, Madagascar, as a powerful category 3 cyclone with winds around 203km per hour.

🇲🇬 Un petit passage éclair pour solliciter votre aide.

Madagascar, et plus particulièrement la région de Tamatave, a été frappée par le cyclone tropical intense Gezani avec des rafales à 250 km/h.

Cette région est littéralement dévastée. Le peuple malgache a besoin d’aide… pic.twitter.com/RQePm27WUP

— Titou 🇨🇵 (@AmeFrancaiseFR) February 11, 2026

Toamasina, Madagascar’s chief seaport, has a population of over 350 000.

After its passage of Madagascar, #Gezani is set to emerge over the warm (30-31C) waters of the Mozambique Channel while located in a low-shear environment with high divergence aloft due to a nearby upper-level anticyclone (ULAC). These conditions will assist rapid (1/n) pic.twitter.com/KbqGoj40Gw

— JavaHurricane (@JavaHurricane) February 10, 2026

Damage has been reported, but the extent remains unclear at this time.

Cyclone Gezani has made landfall over Toamasina, Madagascar, as a powerful category 3 cyclone with winds around 126 mph.

Toamasina has a population of over 350,000. Damage has been reported, but the extent remains unclear at this time. (📹: Jacques Rajaona ) pic.twitter.com/ngnQLuSOVf

— Faytuks Network Weather (@FaytuksWeather) February 10, 2026

On X (Twitter), Backpirch Weather posted, “Cyclone Gezani has become the first truly concerning landfall of 2026 as he smashes into Toamasina, Madagascar, at peak intensity, marking the first time the city has been hit by a Category 3+ storm since the infamous Category 5 Geralda of 1994.”

🚨LANDFALL: Cyclone Gezani has become the first truly concerning landfall of 2026 as he smashes directly into Toamasina, Madagascar at peak intensity, marking the first time the city has been hit by a Category 3+ storm since the infamous Category 5 Geralda of 1994.

Serious… pic.twitter.com/ntm1QsNABK

— Backpirch Weather (@BackpirchCrew) February 10, 2026

According to SAWS, the system is expected to weaken while tracking south-westward across Madagascar.

Cyclone Gezani is now making a direct impact on Toamasina, Madagascar, bringing destructive conditions 🇲🇬

One person has been trapped after a wall collapsed amid the storm.- KOLO tv pic.twitter.com/81f1SoLC2q

— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) February 10, 2026

“Gezani is forecasted to enter the Mozambique Channel late today, Wednesday, February 11, where environmental conditions may once again become favourable for re-intensification,” said SAWS.

Widespread showers and thundershowers expected across most parts of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, with heavy downpours possible in parts of the North-West and South-West. Cyclone Gezani made Madagascar landfall on Tuesday and is expected to move over the Mozambique channel today. ☀️⛈️🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/dSSuQPFVEt

— ZIMCAST (@ZIM_CAST) February 10, 2026

“At present, Gezani does not pose any threat to South Africa. SAWS will continue to monitor the system closely and will issue updates as new information becomes available.”

Cyclone Gezani is now making a direct impact on Toamasina, Madagascar, bringing destructive conditions 🇲🇬

One person has been trapped after a wall collapsed amid the storm.- KOLO tv pic.twitter.com/81f1SoLC2q

— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) February 10, 2026

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