Madagascar: Impact of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi – Flash Update No. 2 (13 January 2025)
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi struck northern Madagascar on 11 January, affecting over 5,000 individuals, resulting in three deaths, and displacing 352 people. The cyclone caused severe damage to infrastructure and educational facilities. As of 13 January, the cyclone intensified in Nampula Province, Mozambique, where it is expected to continue causing heavy rainfall and destructive winds. Humanitarian efforts are underway to assist those impacted.
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi impacted northern Madagascar on 11 January, resulting in substantial rainfall and strong winds. The cyclone affected over 5,000 individuals, leading to three fatalities and displacing 352 people. Furthermore, 750 children are currently out of school due to the destruction of more than 60 educational facilities. Humanitarian agencies have mobilized to support those affected by this disaster.
As of 13 January, Cyclone Dikeledi intensified while affecting Nampula Province in Mozambique, adjacent to the Ihla de Mozambique. Provinces including Nampula, Cabo Delgado, and Zambezia are experiencing severe weather conditions, characterized by heavy rainfall and destructive winds. Winds have reached speeds of approximately 150 kilometers per hour, with gusts soaring up to 180 kilometers per hour, posing significant risks to the region.
Official reports from the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management indicate that the cyclone has currently affected 5,216 individuals, leading to infrastructure damage, including nearly 1,300 houses being flooded and five health centers also suffering damage. The cyclone has hindered transportation by temporarily cutting off a crucial national road in Ambilobe District.
Cyclone Dikeledi is expected to transition further south towards the Mozambique Channel on 13 or 14 January, where it may regain cyclone intensity over the following days. Weather forecasts predict that the cyclone will accelerate its path south-southeast, bringing severe weather to the western coast of Madagascar’s Toliara province by 16 or 17 January.
The situation remains critical as humanitarian efforts continue to address the immediate needs of those affected, particularly focusing on children and educational institutions disrupted by the cyclone’s destructive path.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has caused significant disruption and damage in northern Madagascar, affecting over 5,000 people, leading to loss of life and extensive infrastructure damage. As it develops further south, continued monitoring and humanitarian response will be essential for recovery efforts in both Madagascar and Mozambique. Assistance is particularly vital for children, many of whom remain out of school due to the cyclone’s impact.
Original Source: www.unocha.org
