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Rabat – A deadly cyclone in Madagascar killed at least 38 people, with over 12,000 displaced.
Madagascar’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management announced on Thursday the death toll, noting six people are still missing.
Over 370 people were injured in the storm, called Cyclone Gezani, which is also expected to strike Mozambique this evening.
The weather conditions brought winds up to 250 kilometers per hour.
Madagascar officials declared the situation a national disaster, appealing for international solidarity.
The cyclone destroyed over 18,000 houses. At least 50,000 houses were damaged or submerged due to floods.
The UN reported that the intense tropical cyclone intensified on February 9, forecasting the natural disaster to make landfall in Madagascar near the city of Toamasina.
It announced that the UN Central Emergency Fund allocated $3 million to six UN agencies in Madagascar in pre-arranged finance for anticipatory action to help partners support vulnerable citizens.
Cyclone Gezani adds to other humanitarian challenges in the country, which was also hit by tropical Cyclone Fytia. The previous cyclone killed at least 12 people and displaced over 31,000 people.
Over 200,0000 people across nine regions were affected, while nearly 18,600 were damaged.
“What happened is a disaster, nearly 75% of the city of Toamasina was destroyed,” the country’s military leader Cloner ichael Randrianirina told EFP.
He said the situation exceeds the country’s current capabilities.
