Death toll from Cyclone Freddy rises to 7 in Madagascar

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) – The death toll in Madagascar from Cyclone Freddy rose to seven on Friday, after causing significant damage in areas where it passed, local media reported.

According to the daily Madagascar Tribune, the cyclone made landfall ripping off rooftops and bringing heavy winds and torrential rain.

A total of 22,529 people have been displaced and are currently being housed in 50 hosting sites, the daily said, citing the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management.

Madagascar has suffered from several cyclones. Last year, Cyclone Batsirai killed more than 130 people across the Indian Ocean island.

The country is also still recovering from last month’s Tropical Cyclone Cheneso, which devastated the country leaving some 30 people dead.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy made landfall in Mozambique on Friday and is expected to cause flooding in parts of Zimbabwe and South Africa.