2 killed as tropical cyclone slams Madagascar

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - At least two people were confirmed dead and hundreds of others affected after a powerful cyclone struck northern Madagascar this week, the country’s disaster management agency said on Friday, as the storm headed to Mozambique.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe formed on March 7 over the Indian Ocean well off the coast of Madagascar, made landfall in the northeastern Antsiranana province on late Monday, with maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kilometers (40 miles) per hour.

The countries meteorological department had issued a warning for strong winds over the whole coastal area of northern Madagascar.

“Preliminary assessment revealed that two people were killed and 935 others affected following the passage of Tropical Cyclone Gombe on the north of Madagascar,” the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management said.

One of the victims died in the town of Maroantsetra and another in Antalaha, it said.

All the municipalities were yet to submit their reports and the number of casualties could rise.

Last month, Cyclone Batsirai hit Madagascar and left 120 people dead.

In January, a tropical storm Ana struck Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique killing more than 80 people.

- Mozambique

Meanwhile, Mozambican meteorological authorities warned on Thursday that the tropical storm was likely to make a landfall in the coastal district of Mossuril in northern Nampula province on Friday.

The system is moving at a speed between 120 to 165 kilometers per hour and the impact could be much stronger than the Tropical Storm Ana that hit the region in January, Lelo Tayob, a meteorologist from the National Institute of Meteorology said.

At least 77 bridges, 2,058 schools and 192 health units in the central and northern region of the country are at high risk of being affected by the cyclone, the Mozambique National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction warned.

Some 18 boats, food and non-food items were reportedly positioned in strategic locations to provide immediate assistance if need.

Domestic flights to central and northern regions have also been cancelled due to the storm.