One dead, two missing as cyclone Garance hits French island of La Reunion

One person has died and two others are missing after cyclone Garance made landfall in French overseas territory, La Reunion with top speeds of 96 mph.

Local authorities say that the cyclone which made landfall in the north of the Island blew away roofs and cut access to power and drinking water for many residents when it hit on Friday. 

It exited the southwest of the Island several hours later the Meteo France weather agency said. 

"Things are improving in the north of La Reunion island but ... not on high points in the west," prefect Patrice Latron said, pointing to heavy rainfall.

The prefecture had said earlier that 180,000 households - about 42% of the electricity utility's customers - had lost power, and nearly 10% had no access to drinking water.

A mandatory order for residents to stay indoors remained in place and authorities expected rough weather conditions until at least the end of the day.

Top winds had dropped to 130 kph (80 mph), Meteo France said, but higher gusts were possible on the southwest of the island, with heavy rains now seen as a bigger risk.

This meant rescue workers could now leave their shelters and start to assess damage and help those affected.

In nearby Mauritius, authorities also reopened the airport after the threat from the storm eased.

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