People make their way home during bad weather in Tamatave, Madagascar, February 5, 2022.
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People make their way home during bad weather in Tamatave, Madagascar, February 5, 2022.
AP
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar – The winds and torrential rain of Cyclone Batsirai are hitting Madagascar, after making landfall on the east coast of the island late Saturday.
An estimated 45,000 people were displaced by the tropical storm on Sunday, the National Office for Disaster and Risk Management said.
After strengthening in the Indian Ocean with gusts peaking at 145 mph, the storm made landfall near Mananjary, 500 km (310 mi) east of the capital Antananarivo, according to the island’s meteorological department.
Now that Batsirai – which means aid in the Shona language – is on land, its winds have slowed to about 80 miles per hour.
Residents of Mananjary, the nearby towns of Manakara and Nosy Varika reported that the storm caused widespread damage by blowing off roofs, toppling trees and power poles, and making roads impassable. passed through and flooded many areas.
Joellah Razanivomanana had a sleepless night after her home was damaged.
“The roof is gone!” Razanivomanana, 21, told the Associated Press. “We didn’t sleep all night. We hid under the table, under the bed for fear that the house would fall on us.” She said that many trees, including large coconut trees, were knocked down by the wind.
“Almost all of the houses collapsed and their roofs fell off. So almost all of us in Mananjary were affected,” said Razanivomanana.
A man protects his home during adverse weather, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, February 5, 2022. After strength in the Indian Ocean with gusts peaking at 145 mph, a man The storm made landfall about 500 kilometers (310 miles) east of the capital city on Saturday.
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Alexander Joe / AP
A man protects his home during adverse weather, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, February 5, 2022. After strength in the Indian Ocean with gusts peaking at 145 mph, a man The storm made landfall about 500 kilometers (310 miles) east of the capital city on Saturday.
Alexander Joe / AP
“It’s like after a fire. All that’s left are the frames of the wooden houses,” said Razanivomanana. “Even the concrete walls cracked. Everyone said it was the strongest tornado they’ve ever experienced.”
Razanivomanana said it was difficult to find food.
“Those who hoarded before the storm had something to eat and they sold part of their rice to others,” she said. “We’re trying to help each other.”
Mananjary is “devastated,” said Jeremia Razafiharimanana, of the Office of Disaster and Risk Management from the seaside town. He said the town had been without power since Friday night.
Much of Madagascar was already flooded by Tropical Cyclone Ana and heavy rains in January and the new tornado is adding to the damage.
Batsirai is classified as a dangerous storm and is expected to cause “significant and widespread damage, especially flooding in the east, southeast and highlands”, the meteorological department said in a statement. declare.
Farther inland, the capital, Antananarivo, suffered heavy rains before the cyclone and residents put sandbags on roofs to protect against the wind.
In anticipation of widespread devastation, most land and sea transport has been suspended on the island of Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island.
Nearly all areas of the island are at risk, the National Office for Disaster and Risk Management said, warning that tornadoes threaten nearly 600,000 of the island’s 28 million inhabitants. Island.
