Africa-Press. The impact of the powerful tropical cyclone Vitya has become increasingly evident in Madagascar just hours after it moved back out to sea. The National Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management has recorded more than 22,000 people affected across 17 districts in five regions.
According to the latest official toll released earlier this week, the cyclone caused one death after a house collapsed in the Andohamandry district of Antananarivo, while another person was reported missing after being swept away by floodwaters. Five people were injured to varying degrees, and more than 8,000 residents were forced to seek shelter in evacuation centres or with relatives.
Material damage has been extensive: 4,646 homes were flooded, 104 partially damaged, and 813 completely destroyed. Around twenty classrooms were also affected, three of which collapsed entirely, further complicating the humanitarian situation.
Entire neighbourhoods in the city of Mahajanga, in the Boeny region, were inundated, as local authorities struggle to evacuate residents and provide urgent assistance.
Cyclone path
Cyclone Vitya made landfall in Madagascar at dawn on Saturday, 31 January, through the Salala area in the country’s northwest, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall. After crossing the central regions, it weakened before moving back out to sea near Brickaville on the island’s eastern coast.
However, the cyclone regained strength once over the ocean, raising concerns of a renewed threat to neighbouring islands, particularly the French island of La Réunion, where a yellow-level alert may be declared due to strong winds.
