Cyclone Batsirai has led to at least 10 deaths and displaced nearly 48,000 people in Madagascar, marking the second major storm within weeks. With wind speeds reaching 165 km/h, the cyclone caused substantial destruction in areas like Mananjary and Nosy Varika. The disaster comes shortly after Tropical Storm Ana, which previously affected over 130,000 people in Madagascar.
Cyclone Batsirai has wreaked havoc in Madagascar, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and displacing approximately 48,000 individuals. The nation’s office of disaster management reported these figures, emphasizing that some victims perished in building collapses in Ambalavao, located about 460 kilometers south of the capital, Antananarivo.
This cyclone marks the second severe storm to impact the impoverished island nation within a fortnight. Cyclone Batsirai made landfall in Mananjary, generating winds of up to 165 km/h (103 mph) that uprooted vegetation, destroyed infrastructures, and compelled residents to secure roofs against the tempest.
Residents have described scenes of devastation, with Faby stating, “Mananjary is completely destroyed, no matter where you go everything is destroyed.” Willy Raharijaona, technical advisor to the vice president of Madagascar’s Senate, reported that flooding had isolated certain southeastern areas, comparing the destruction to a bombing.
The Meteo-France weather service had anticipated Batsirai as a severe threat post-its passage through Mauritius and La Reunion, where it caused significant rainfall and power outages affecting roughly 10,000 people. The effects of Tropical Storm Ana earlier in January had already impacted 131,000 individuals in Madagascar, leading to around 60 deaths.
Meteo Madagascar indicated that Cyclone Batsirai had weakened as it traversed the country, with wind speeds substantially reduced. In Mahanoro, a widow named Marie Viviane Rasoanandrasana faced personal loss as rising sea levels exposed graves in a cemetery. She lamented, “Daily life is already very hard,” as she prepared for the arduous task of relocating the deceased family members’ remains.
The devastation caused by Cyclone Batsirai has exacerbated an already critical situation in Madagascar, following the impacts of Tropical Storm Ana. The loss of life, displacement of thousands, and widespread destruction underscore the urgent need for humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, the emotional toll on affected individuals, such as those dealing with the loss of loved ones, highlights the deep and long-lasting effects of such natural disasters on communities.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
