Cyclone Batsirai made landfall in the Indian Ocean island late Saturday, tore off the east coast until it slammed away late Sunday, killing at least 10 people, displacing 43,000 and some cities And the villages were largely destroyed.
Madagascar, with a population of about 30 million, was already dealing with the aftermath of Cyclone Ana, which killed 55 people and displaced 130,000 just two weeks earlier, as well as drought and food shortages in its southern Grand Sud region. with emergency.
President Andy Rajoelina flew to the coastal town of Mananjari, usually about 500 kilometers (311 mi) by road, southeast of the capital Antananarivo. The land route to Manjari was cut off due to floods and the city was reported to be in ruins.
Rajoelina said on her Facebook page that she was there to show solidarity with those who had lost loved ones and homes, and to see for herself what was needed in terms of assistance.
Madagascar’s state disaster relief agency said it was providing basic amenities to 43,000 people in 180 temporary shelters, while the United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) said it had begun distributing hot meals to 4,000 people.
A WFP spokesman said the organization was conducting an aerial survey of the affected areas to better assess the needs.
The WFP warned that the impact of Cyclone Batsiray could be worse than anticipated before the storm makes landfall, as water levels in rivers and canals continue to rise.
The state disaster relief agency said 14 bridges and 12 roads were impassable due to the floods, while more than 200 schools were partially or completely destroyed, leaving more than 10,000 children unable to attend lessons.