In the past days, Madagascar has been sandwiched between both Tropical Storm Eric and Cyclone Fanele. Considering that last year's cyclone season was particularly deadly, bloggers in Madagascar are weary of the consequences of such natural disasters. Despite growing political tension, many of them reacted promptly to share their thoughts on what seems to be another series of damaging catastrophes.
Tropical Storm Eric made landfall on Monday, January 19, in the region of Fenerive-Est (East coast of Madagascar) with wind speeds reported around 100 km/h. Early morning on Wednesday, Cyclone Fanele hit Morondava and its surroundings with wind gusts up to 240 km/h.
Blogger Tomavana describes the general sentiment in Madagascar:
Tropical Storm Eric traveled along the coast of Analanjirofo and Atsinanana regions on the East coast of Madagascar. We can say that once again, the violent winds are piling on against Madagascar.
Lomelle explains that the district of Fenerive Est was already severely damaged by cyclone Ivan last year (Fr). She adds that authorities seem more prepared this time around in the capital city:
Madagascar ne peut éviter les passages de ces tempêtes tous les ans mais l’essentielle est de se tenir prêts aux éventualités [..] L’exercice de simulation d’Anosimahavelona était spécifique par rapport aux autres quartiers parce que le fleuve d’Ikopa est l’enjeu. Le travail consistait l’évacuation au moment du danger, à la traversée des sinistrés pour sortir de l’inondation à l’aide de pirogues, puis au transport par des camions pour rejoindre les sites d’hébergement. [..] Après cet exercice, il se peut que le taux des sinistrés puisse baisser car la prévention est bien préparée et assurée.
Flooding evacuation excercise by Lomelle
Tomavana adds in a follow up post that the initial temporary reports from the passage of Cyclone Fanele in the Southwest region are extremely worrisome (Fr):
- A cause de l’extrême violence des rafales [> 260 kmh] plus aucune maison d’habitation n’a de toit dans le district de Morondava.
– Le journal Express de Madagascar avance le bilan des sans abris à “environ 64 000 personnes sur les 80 000 habitant la ville n’ont plus de toit.”
– Aucune nouvelle du district de Manja depuis hier 23h00 locale.
– L’onde de tempête a provoqué des raz-de-marée dans la région de Belo-sur-Mer et Ankoba.
The newspaper Express de Madagascar estimates that 64,000 out of the 80,000 total population are now roofless.
The county of Manja has been cut out of all communication since 23h00 local time yesterday (Jan 20th).
The storm also induced tidal waves in the Belo-sur-Mer region and Ankoba.
22 comments
Breaking News : “U.S. airmen played a pivotal role in a search-and-rescue mission that saved a 69-year-old man who floated for 18 hours after his sailboat capsized off the coast of Madagascar last week.
The man was one of the three Americans aboard the vessel when it overturned about 260 miles off the Madagascar coast, according to officials with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. ” href=”http://ow.ly/6se”>Stripes.com – 27.01.2009 >>
Sorry here is the right link :
“Airmen find 69-year-old afloat off coast of Madagascar” – Stripes – 27.01.2009 >>
Thank you Tomavana,
Amazing rescue story (18h at sea alone) and yet it is totally lost like all things about the cyclone because of the political silliness. :/
Lova,
Are people in the central highlands of Madagascar fearing another Rift Valley Fever outbreak like that of last year due to the heavy rainfall from the recent storms?
Lynn
Dear Lynn,
I think I found the right contact to answer your question regarding the RV fever. I will send his contact via email.
Best,
Lova