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ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — <\/span>At least nine people died in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar<\/a> after Tropical Cyclone Gezani made landfall, unleashing winds in excess of 195 kph (121 mph), authorities said Wednesday.<\/p>\n Madagascar’s weather service issued red alerts for several regions, warning of possible floods and landslides as Gezani moves across the largely poor country<\/a> of 31 million people.<\/p>\n The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management said at least nine people have died due to building collapses and at least 19 have been injured.<\/p>\n The cyclone made landfall in the eastern city of Toamasina, the island\u2019s main port, which sustained severe damage, residents told The Associated Press.<\/p>\n Madagascar President Michael Randrianirina, who took power in a military coup<\/a> in October, visited Toamasina to survey damage and meet residents, according to videos posted on the Facebook page of the president’s office.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s devastation. Roofs have been blown away, walls have collapsed, power poles are down, trees have been uprooted. It looks like a catastrophic landscape,\u201d Toamasina resident Michel, who gave only his first name, said by phone.<\/p>\n Gezani was forecast to move across Madagascar from east to west on Wednesday, though the system had weakened to a tropical storm with wind speeds of around 110 kph (68 mph), according to the national weather service. <\/p>\n The storm passed around 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of the capital, Antananarivo, which is one of the regions under a red alert warning for possible flooding.<\/p>\n Gezani hit less than two weeks after Tropical Cyclone Fytia killed 14 people in Madagascar, according to the risk and disaster management agency.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n AP Africa news: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/africa<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n