Madagascar Prepares for Cyclone Faida Following Elvis’s Devastation
Madagascar is facing significant challenges due to Cyclone Elvis, which caused five fatalities, while also bracing for the incoming Cyclone Faida set to impact the northern coast on February 4. The aftermath of Elvis has revealed vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness, especially as cyclone activity increases in the region due to climate change.
Madagascar is preparing for the impact of Tropical Cyclone Faida, which is expected to reach the northern coast on February 4, while still addressing the aftermath of Cyclone Elvis that resulted in five fatalities. Reports from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations indicated that the deceased were victims of lightning events in the Vohibato district, with injuries sustained by two other individuals.
Elvis originated over the Mozambique Channel and made landfall on Madagascar’s southwestern coast on January 29, accompanied by heavy rainfall and sustained winds reaching 84 kilometers per hour. Cities such as Toliara and Taolagnaro recorded significant rainfall levels of 196 and 178 millimeters, respectively. The storm subsided over the southern Indian Ocean over the weekend.
Currently, Madagascar is responding to the effects of Cyclone Faida, which formed in the southern Indian Ocean on January 23 and initially impacted Mauritius and Réunion Island on February 2, before shifting toward northern Madagascar. According to the February 3 ECHO report, Faida exhibits maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and is anticipated to strengthen as it moves westward into Madagascar’s Analamanga, Alaotra Mangoro, Analanjirofo, Atsinanana, and Sofia regions.
Local authorities in Réunion Island are advising residents to remain vigilant regarding weather alerts and to prepare necessary emergency supplies. Just a few weeks prior to the impact of Elvis, Madagascar and southern African nations faced severe consequences from Cyclone Dikeledi, which resulted in flooding, landslides, and claimed the lives of at least ten individuals.
In the wake of Dikeledi, ecological harm occurred, including flooding at a tortoise sanctuary, leading to the drowning of numerous radiated and spider tortoises. Despite this, reports suggest that over 10,000 tortoises were successfully rescued. Meanwhile, meteorological experts recently convened in Zambia to enhance forecasting methods for Southern Africa, as the U.K. Met Office has indicated that the region will likely face an increase in storm activity due to ongoing climate change.
Recent cyclones in Madagascar have highlighted the region’s vulnerability to severe weather events, exacerbated by climate change. Cyclone Elvis, which caused fatalities and injuries, demonstrates the immediate dangers posed by such storms. Concurrently, Tropical Cyclone Faida’s approaching landfall emphasizes the ongoing threat to affected regions. The situation underscores the need for improved forecasting and disaster preparedness to mitigate impacts on both human populations and wildlife.
Madagascar is currently facing the dual challenge of coping with the aftermath of Cyclone Elvis and preparing for the anticipated landfall of Cyclone Faida. As the region grapples with increasing storm activity related to climate change, it is critical to enhance disaster preparedness and forecasting efforts to protect lives and ecosystems from devastating impacts. Continued vigilance and timely responses can help mitigate the effects of such natural disasters.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
