Madagascar Cyclone Batsirai Casualties Rise To 92, Exacerbating Crisis

Cyclone Batsirai has claimed 92 lives in Madagascar, leaving 91,000 people without homes. It struck the island late on Saturday, compounding the effects of Cyclone Ana. The storm worsened food shortages due to crop destruction and severely damaged infrastructure, complicating relief efforts.

The death toll in Madagascar due to Cyclone Batsirai has reached 92, according to the state disaster relief agency. The cyclone struck late on Saturday, causing extensive damage along the southeastern coast, impacting 91,000 people with either destroyed or damaged homes. This storm marked the nation’s second destructive event in a mere two weeks, following Cyclone Ana, which had previously resulted in 55 deaths and displaced 130,000 individuals.

The relief agency reported a significant increase in casualties, raising the initial toll from 29 to 80 after newly gathered information from hard-hit regions. Notably, 60 of these fatalities occurred in the Ikongo district, where residents faced drowning or being crushed by collapsing structures. Local representatives had noted that the magnitude of casualties was alarming in that area.

Beyond the immediate loss of life, Cyclone Batsirai has exacerbated existing food shortages in southern Madagascar, which were already severe due to prolonged drought conditions. The World Food Programme noted the cyclone destroyed crops of rice, fruits, and vegetables that were nearing harvest, further threatening local food security.

Infrastructure damage was significant, as the cyclone led to widespread flooding, rendering 12 roads and 14 bridges impassable. This disruption hindered relief efforts to reach the most affected communities, complicating the response to the growing humanitarian crisis.

Cyclone Batsirai has tragically resulted in at least 92 fatalities in Madagascar, compounding challenges from previous storms and exacerbating food insecurity exacerbated by drought. With significant infrastructure damage and widespread flooding, the cyclone has critically impacted relief operations, leaving many communities in dire need of assistance.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com