Madagascar: Huge Cyclone Wreaks Havoc

By Staff Writer

ANTANANARIVO---A tropical cyclone has struck Madagascar’s eastern shores, with winds of up to 194km/h, claiming at least two lives and several other destructions.

Cyclone Giovanna hit the port city of Tamatave, 200km east of the capital Antananarivo overnight on Tuesday as heavy rains and powerful winds were experienced for the most of the day on the coastline.

The category four cyclone has caused much devastation, leading to shutdown of businesses and power cut in many areas of the capital as heavy rains persisted on second day on Tuesday.

Emergency services vehicles were out in the capital on Tuesday clearing the debris as the situation is expected to get worse bearing that many villagers on the eastern shore which has been cut off from the capital, live in simple houses built of wood and leaves.

Telephone lines have been brought down also by the cyclone where also reports say that there has been a mudslide along the main Tamatave-Antananarivo road. People are staying at home as offices, schools and businesses still remain shut.

Data supplied by the US Navy and Air Force Joint Typhoon Warning Center showed sustained winds of around 231km per hour driving the category four cyclone into Madagascar.

John Yoon-Yak Davis, the country director of the aid agency Care International, said preliminary assessments showed 60 per cent of homes in some districts have been critically damaged.

“Wood homes have lost roofs, more traditional structures made of palm leaves and bamboos have been completely destroyed. There is going to be great need in terms of re-establishing infrastructure and food supply for the population."

US space agency, NASA has said the cyclone is expected to weaken as it moves across the Island nation’s coastline, where it’s said it might re-intensify and hit Mozambique’s coastline in the next 48 hours.

At least 80 people were killed in 2008 when cyclone Ivan hit Madagascar, displacing 200,000 others in its sweep. Madagascar is prone to cyclones and other tropical storms especially in this rainy season from February to May.