Tropical Cyclone Horacio intensified to a Category 5-equivalent system over the central Southwest Indian Ocean east of Mauritius on February 22, 2026, becoming the strongest tropical cyclone recorded globally this year. The storm reached sustained winds near 260 km/h (160 mph) before moving southward over open waters.
Tropical Cyclone Gezani has left at least 63 people dead across Madagascar and Mozambique after striking eastern Madagascar on February 10, 2026, and later passing 15 km (9 miles) offshore from Mozambique’s Inhambane coast before weakening over the Mozambique Channel. Madagascar’s disaster management authority reports 59 fatalities, 15 missing persons, and 804 injured, with 423 986 people affected nationwide, while Mozambique officials confirmed four deaths and continued infrastructure disruption. Heavy rain and coastal hazards persisted into February 17 as the system looped west of southern Madagascar.
At least 40 fatalities have been confirmed, and over 18 800 homes have been destroyed as of February 13, 2026, since Tropical Cyclone Gezani made landfall over Madagascar. The storm remains active and is forecast to continue intensifying through February 13 while remaining in open waters.
Tropical Cyclone Gezani was located in the Mozambique Channel at 12:00 UTC on February 12, 2026, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph) and is forecast to intensify to 165 km/h (105 mph) near the Mozambique coast by February 14. Gale- to hurricane-force winds, rainfall totals locally reaching 200 mm (8 inches), and high seas of 7–10 m (23–33 feet) are possible in Inhambane Province, while Sofala and Gaza provinces remain saturated from prolonged flooding that has already displaced hundreds of thousands.
Tropical Cyclone Gezani has killed at least 31 people since it made landfall near Toamasina, on the eastern coast of Madagascar, on February 10, 2026, damaging and destroying around 80% of the city. Around three dozen were injured, with multiple still missing as recovery operations continue across the island.
Intense Tropical Cyclone Gezani struck eastern Madagascar near Toamasina at approximately 16:00 UTC on February 10, 2026, with maximum sustained winds estimated near 175 km/h (109 mph) at landfall. The cyclone produced hurricane-force winds, storm surge, and widespread heavy rainfall before beginning to weaken inland.
At least 12 people were killed and more than 77 000 affected after Tropical Cyclone Fytia struck northwestern Madagascar at 01:40 UTC on January 31, 2026. Winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and intense rainfall caused severe damage across 35 districts, with Soalala and Mitsinjo among the hardest hit. Fytia is the 7th named storm of the 2025/26 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season.
