Cyclone Batsirai has caused at least ten deaths and displaced approximately 48,000 people in Madagascar. The storm inflicted significant damage, particularly in Mananjary and Nosy Varika, resulting in widespread destruction. This cyclone follows Tropical Storm Ana, which had already severely impacted the region. Meteorological services noted a reduction in Batsirai’s intensity as it traversed the island, but the destruction left behind a profound emotional and logistical burden on residents.
Cyclone Batsirai has struck Madagascar, resulting in at least ten fatalities and displacing nearly 48,000 individuals from their homes, according to the country’s disaster management office. The cyclone, which is the second severe storm to hit Madagascar in two weeks, has caused significant destruction, particularly in the town of Ambalavao, approximately 460 kilometers south of the capital, Antananarivo. Reports indicate that several victims died due to house collapses during the cyclone’s onslaught.
The cyclone made landfall in Mananjary, bringing winds of up to 165 km/h (103 mph), which uprooted trees and caused extensive structural damage. Residents reported that many buildings’ roofs were torn off, leading to widespread damage. As one resident, Faby, described, “Mananjary is completely destroyed; no matter where you go, everything is destroyed.”
According to Willy Raharijaona, a technical adviser to Madagascar’s Senate vice president, flooding has isolated parts of the southeast region, creating dire conditions. He noted, “It’s as if we had just been bombed. The city of Nosy Varika is almost 95 percent destroyed.” The destructive power of the cyclone had been anticipated; Meteo-France had earlier warned of a “very serious threat” as it approached.
Prior to Batsirai, Tropical Storm Ana had already impacted Madagascar, affecting over 131,000 residents and resulting in nearly 60 deaths. The storm also affected neighboring countries, including Malawi and Mozambique. Meteorological reports indicate that as Batsirai crossed Madagascar, its intensity diminished, with wind speeds reportedly halved.
Amidst this calamity, families face immense emotional and logistical challenges. In Mahanoro, for instance, Marie Viviane Rasoanandrasana mourned the loss of three family members whose graves were damaged by rising sea levels. “Daily life is already very hard,” she lamented, expressing concerns over the need to reinter her loved ones temporarily due to their compromised burial site.
In conclusion, Cyclone Batsirai has wreaked havoc in Madagascar, causing loss of life, displacing thousands, and demolishing infrastructure. As the country grapples with the aftermath, the emotional toll is profound, impacting families and communities. The frequency of such severe weather events underscores the vulnerability of Madagascar to climate-related disasters, necessitating urgent support and attention to rebuilding efforts. The devastation caused by Cyclone Batsirai, following closely after Tropical Storm Ana, has raised serious concerns regarding the resilience of Madagascar’s population and infrastructure in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
