Madagascar has been hit by Tropical Storm Cheneso, the first of the 2022-2023 cyclone season in history. The northeastern town of Antalaha, located in the Sava Region, was hit the hardest, with reports of one person missing, over 300 people evacuated, and more than 700 houses flooded. The Diana, Sava, and Analanjirofo regions have been placed under red alert.
According to the National Office for Risk and Catastrophe Management, Tropical Storm Cheneso made landfall in the north of Antalaha Town on January 19th, with average winds of 90 km/h and wind gusts reaching up to 120 km/h. The storm then headed south-west, causing heavy rains and strong winds that continue to affect the region.
As the storm continues to weaken, residents of the affected areas are calling for improved drainage systems to prevent future flooding. “Everything is flooded here, we ask the State to improve the draining of flood water, so that in case of rain, it can flow away. We’re living in misery right now,” said local farmer Jean Claude.
Eline Vavitsara, another resident of the affected area, added, “All our stuff has been flooded, normally we should leave, but we can’t leave our belongings, We are suffering a lot because of this flood, it is really misery right now.”
This is not the first time that Madagascar has been affected by cyclones in recent history. Cyclones and tropical storms regularly hit the island nation, causing significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and crops, and displacing thousands of people. The government and aid organizations are working to provide assistance to those affected by the current storm, and to prepare for future storms in the cyclone season, which runs annually from October to April. While this storm isn’t as bad as previous Madagascar cyclone in history, its effects are still devestating.
Madagascar’s worst 5 cyclone in history
Madagascar is no stranger to the devastating effects of tropical cyclones, just look at their history. The island nation, located off the coast of East Africa, is regularly hit by these powerful storms, causing significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and crops, and displacing thousands of people. Here are the top 5 worst cyclones to hit Madagascar in recent history:
- Cyclone Enawo (2017) – This powerful cyclone made landfall in northeastern Madagascar in March 2017, causing widespread destruction and leaving at least 77 people dead and 150,000 people displaced. The storm, which had winds of up to 270 km/h, caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure, and destroyed thousands of hectares of crops.
- Cyclone Gafilo (2004) – Gafilo was one of the most intense tropical cyclones on record, with wind speeds reaching up to 300 km/h. The storm made landfall in Madagascar in March 2004, causing widespread flooding and landslides, and leaving over 400 people dead and more than 250,000 people displaced.
- Cyclone Ivan (2008) – Ivan was a powerful tropical cyclone that hit Madagascar in January 2008. The storm, which had winds of up to 240 km/h, caused widespread flooding and landslides, and left at least 77 people dead and thousands more injured or displaced.
- Cyclone Dina (2002) – Dina was a strong tropical cyclone that hit Madagascar in January 2002, causing widespread flooding and landslides, and leaving at least 21 people dead and 120,000 people displaced.
- Cyclone Giovanna (2012) – Giovanna was a powerful tropical cyclone that hit Madagascar in February 2012, causing widespread flooding and landslides, and leaving at least 32 people dead and thousands more injured or displaced.
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