Cyclone Batsirai has killed at least ten in Madagascar and displaced nearly 48,000 people. With winds reaching 165 km/h, it caused significant destruction, especially in towns like Mananjary and Nosy Varika. The disaster follows Tropical Storm Ana, which had already impacted the region significantly, raising concerns for future humanitarian conditions.
Cyclone Batsirai, the second severe storm to hit Madagascar in recent weeks, has resulted in significant casualties and widespread devastation. Reports indicate that at least ten individuals have lost their lives, and nearly 48,000 people have been displaced due to the cyclone’s impact as per the country’s disaster management office. The storm notably affected the town of Ambalavao, approximately 460 kilometers south of the capital, Antananarivo, where fatalities occurred when houses collapsed.
Making landfall in Mananjary, Cyclone Batsirai unleashed winds of up to 165 kilometers per hour (103 mph), uprooting trees and demolishing structures along its trajectory. One resident, Faby, described Mananjary’s devastation with, “Mananjary is completely destroyed, no matter where you go everything is destroyed.” Officials have highlighted the severe flooding that has isolated some areas in the southeast poignantly stating, “It’s as if we had just been bombed,” referring to nearby Nosy Varika, which has seen 95 percent destruction of its infrastructure.
Prior reports from Meteo-France warned of the cyclone posing a “very serious threat” to Madagascar as it passed through the Indian Ocean. After affecting La Reunion island, where about 10,000 residents still lacked electricity after the cyclone, the situation was dire. Earlier, Tropical Storm Ana had already caused substantial harm, affecting over 131,000 people and resulting in nearly 60 deaths across Madagascar and neighboring countries.
Despite Cyclone Batsirai weakening as it traversed the nation, the aftermath has been devastating. In Mahanoro, a grieving widow, Marie Viviane Rasoanandrasana, lamented the loss of her loved ones, saying, “Daily life is already very hard,” as she noted the sea had eroded parts of a cemetery where her family members were laid to rest, necessitating a temporary burial plan due to financial constraints.
In summary, Cyclone Batsirai has wrought severe destruction in Madagascar, causing loss of life and mass displacement. The storm’s ferocity led to infrastructure destruction in multiple towns, particularly in Mananjary and Nosy Varika. Previous storm impacts, such as Tropical Storm Ana, further compound the challenges faced by the country, highlighting a pressing humanitarian crisis amid ongoing natural disasters.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
