New York, Feb. 13 -- On Tuesday, February 10, the intense tropical cyclone Gezani made landfall on the east coast of Madagascar. In a matter of moments, exceptionally violent gusts estimated between 180 and 200 km/h wept through the city of Toamasina. The city was quickly brought to a standstill as violent winds devastated homes, submerged entire neighborhoods, cut off roads, and caused widespread power and telecommunications outages.

"Entire neighborhoods are now submerged or devastated. Roads are clogged with debris, uprooted power poles, and downed cables, making travel difficult and dangerous. Electricity and communication networks are down in almost the entire region," explains Rija Randrianarisoa, emergency response manager for Act...