By Fatima Saka
A deadly Cyclone Batsirai hits Madagascar’s eastern region on Saturday, triggering warnings of “widespread damage” as it made landfall 530 km (310 miles) in the coastal Atsinanana, the capital.
The natural disaster came just two weeks after Cyclone Ana wreaked havoc in the country. As Cyclone Batsirai struck the region, more than 4 million people were estimated to be at risk in 14 districts ahead of the calamity, nearly 600,000 were feared to be directly affected and 150,000 were likely to be displaced.
The cyclone reportedly caused power blackout and damaged the houses as it raged across the area 14 km (nine miles) north of the town of Mananjary.
Families were evacuated to temporary shelters.
The cyclone hit Mananjary at about 8 pm (17:00 GMT) local time, according to meteorologist Lovandrainy Ratovoharisoa who spoke to the news agencies. Winds of more than 200km per hour (124 miles per hour) were forecast to tear through the settlements, and scores of families were evacuated to temporary shelters.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in a press release said that the families across the Atsinanana region were extremely worried about the potential widespread damage the cyclone could cause.
“Many families urgently need temporary shelters, especially those whose homes are located in the areas that are likely to be impacted by the cyclone,” said Andoniaina Ratsimamanga, the secretary-general of Madagascar Red Cross.