Cyclone Batsirai Hits Madagascar, Widespread Damage Feared

Cyclone Batsirai hits Madagascar with winds over 200km/h and heavy rain. Made landfall in Mananjary, raising alarms of widespread damage. UN and aid agencies are on alert as millions face potential risks from the impending storm, following another recent disaster in January.

Cyclone Batsirai is barreling down on Madagascar, bringing with it fierce winds exceeding 200km/h (124 mph) and heavy rainfall. This cyclone is the second storm to strike the island nation within weeks, raising concerns for potential widespread destruction. On Saturday evening, the storm made landfall in the Mananjary district, located 530km (310 miles) southeast of Antananarivo, as authorities warned residents about the possible severity of the event.

Lovandrainy Ratovoharisoa, a meteorologist, confirmed Batsirai’s impact in Mananjary around 8 pm local time, although specific details were scarce. As residents prepared for the storm’s arrival, they braced for winds reaching catastrophic speeds. The storm is predicted to traverse the island overnight, moving from the east towards the west by Monday.

Meteo-France has reported alarming forecasts, suggesting that winds could spike to as high as 250 km/h (155 mph) upon impact, with waves potentially rising to 15 meters (50 feet). The United Nations is on high alert, coordinating with aid agencies to position rescue aircraft and stockpile humanitar-aid supplies.

Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN’s humanitarian office OCHA, mentioned that the expected impact of Batsirai on Madagascar will likely be significant. He provided context, noting that Tropical Storm Ana had affected over 131,000 people earlier in the year, claiming 58 lives, primarily in Antananarivo, and also impacting several neighboring countries.

According to the UN’s World Food Programme, immediate estimates indicate about 595,000 people face the risk of being affected by Batsirai, with an additional 150,000 potentially displaced due to landslides and flooding. Pasqualina Di Sirio, head of the WFP in Madagascar, expressed her team’s anxiety over the approaching storm, stating it creates a dire situation for the island.

In response to the impending cyclone, search and rescue teams have been activated, and residents are reinforcing their homes wherever possible. Tsarafidy Ben Ali, a 23-year-old coal seller, shared his efforts to secure his rooftop against strong gusts by placing soil-filled bags over corrugated iron sheeting. “The gusts of wind are going to be very strong. That’s why we’re reinforcing the roofs,” he noted, underscoring the urgency amid mounting fears.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has reported that at least 4.4 million people face varying levels of risk from the storm, further highlighting the critical humanitarian situation in Madagascar as Cyclone Batsirai approaches.

Cyclone Batsirai threatens Madagascar with devastating winds and heavy rainfall, posing risks to millions. After making landfall in Mananjary, the storm is expected to wreak further havoc following the recent impact of Tropical Storm Ana. As the situation develops, preparation and resilience among the residents and aid organizations are crucial to mitigate the potential ramifications. Standby plans have been activated, but the reality remains concerning for those in the storm’s path.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com