It was a year ago. Cyclone Belal hit Reunion Island. In its path it will kill 4 people and leave a lot of material damage. Remember, one image particularly struck us: that of the Maillot family garden in La Possession, swept away by a landslide. 1 year later, almost nothing has changed.
A year after the passage of Cyclone Belal, the scars of the disaster are still visible. Impassable roads, half-destroyed houses, and residents struggling to turn the page.
At Ravine à Malheur, Pascal is still waiting to receive help. On January 15, 2024, his swimming pool collapsed and fell onto the road “There is no progress, we are at a standstill like last year. We are waiting for the insurance companies to make a move, for them to say what they are going to do, if they are going to rebuild the land or we will get compensation. I'm afraid for the people, the cars passing by.” explains Pascal Maillot.
In Saint-François, same observation. Around ten residents are still isolated, the car access road has collapsed and has still not been rebuilt “We don't come back late in the evening since the path is not lit, it's extremely complicated, we had to relearn how to live differently on schedules. What's also extremely complicated is that we are very isolated, we have a decree which prohibits access to all family caregivers and to family and friends.” declares Valerie Delavoix.
-The Belal cylcone not only left material damage, but also psychological damage. 1 year later, reconstruction is progressing for some, and remains blocked for others.
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