ANTANANARIVO: A tropical cyclone that swept across Madagascar has killed at least 18 people and left four missing after making landfall on the north of the Indian Ocean island nation earlier this week, authorities said on Friday.
The cyclone, named Gamane, made landfall earlier this week, unleashing severe flooding that submerged entire villages and triggered landslides, resulting in injuries to three persons. According to the National Office for Disaster Management, approximately 47,000 people have been displaced or affected by the cyclone’s wrath.
Cyclone Wreaks Havoc in Madagascar
In the northern regions of Diana and Sava, the cyclone wrought havoc, washing away bridges and roads while inundating houses and rice fields. Residents found themselves navigating through flooded villages in canoes, endeavoring to assist others trapped in their homes as water levels rose perilously close to the roofs of buildings.
Although Cyclone Gamane has significantly weakened, its aftermath continues to pose significant challenges for affected communities. Despite the lifting of the cyclone red alert on Thursday morning, the devastation left behind by wind gusts exceeding 210 kilometers per hour (130 miles per hour) remains palpable.
Madagascar has faced a barrage of tropical cyclones since the onset of 2022, exacerbating existing challenges for the island nation. In addition to the immediate impact on lives and infrastructure, extreme weather events have exacerbated a hunger crisis in parts of Madagascar, as noted by the World Food Program.
