11 people have tragically lost their lives after Cyclone Gamane unexpectedly hit northern Madagascar, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Originally projected to bypass the island nation in the Indian Ocean, the cyclone took a sudden turn, causing hundreds of homes to be destroyed.
Aerial footage captured the devastating aftermath, with flooded settlements and residents desperately trying to rescue those trapped in their homes.
The violent cyclone ripped through the northeast of Madagascar over a span of two days, displacing over 18,000 people and leaving three others still missing, as reported by the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) late Thursday.
The cyclone’s powerful winds reached up to 150 km per hour, with gusts of 210 km per hour, further compounding the destruction.
This latest disaster comes just a month after Cyclone Freddy wreaked havoc on the island, claiming four lives and causing mass devastation.
More than 16,600 Malagasy individuals were affected, with over 4,500 houses either flooded or damaged by the cyclone.
Following the devastating impact of Cyclone Gamane in neighboring Madagascar, Mauritius is expected to face the looming threat of severe weather conditions.
The Mauritius Meteorological Services issued a severe weather bulletin on Friday, March 29, 2024, warning of a moist and unstable airmass settling in from the east coast of Madagascar, extending up to around 60 degrees east.
Satellite imagery reveals active cloud formations to the north of the Mascarene Islands, indicating the presence of a rather moist airstream flowing over the region.
As a result, the airmass is expected to become increasingly unstable, potentially triggering the development of additional active cloud systems over Mauritius in the coming days.
The weather outlook for the weekend, valid from Saturday, March 30 to Monday, April 1, 2024, predicts cloudy to overcast conditions with scattered showers, particularly in the afternoons.
These showers may become moderate to heavy at times, accompanied by thunderstorms.
The risk of localized flooding in flood-prone areas is heightened, particularly during the night as thundery showers intensify.
As the weekend progresses into Sunday, March 31 and Monday, April 1, the weather is expected to remain cloudy to overcast with widespread showers across the entire island.
The showers may escalate to moderate to heavy levels, with isolated thunderstorms likely to occur.
Residents, especially those residing in high ground areas, western, and northwestern regions, are advised to exercise caution and remain vigilant as heavy rainfall could lead to water accumulation and localized flooding.
In light of these weather forecasts and the recent experience of Cyclone Gamane in Madagascar, the public is strongly encouraged to take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety and that of their communities.
Stay informed, follow official weather updates, and be prepared for potential adverse weather conditions in the days ahead.
Source: africanews / MMS
