This week, a tropical cyclone named Gamane hit Madagascar, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 individuals and displacing thousands, according to the country’s disaster management agency on Friday.
The cyclone, which affected the northeastern part of Madagascar on Wednesday and Thursday, led to over 20,000 people being displaced, as reported by the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC). Additionally, three people were injured, and four remain missing.
Gamane struck just north of Vohémar in northeastern Madagascar on Wednesday morning, bringing with it average wind speeds of 150 km/h and gusts reaching up to 210 km/h, as per a late Thursday report from BNGRC. By Thursday afternoon, the cyclone had begun to weaken over land, but not before unleashing heavy rainfall and causing widespread flooding across various regions.
Infrastructure, including roads and bridges in the northern part of the island, suffered significant damage, according to BNRGC. Images shared on the disaster management office’s Facebook page depicted team members assisting locals in knee-high floodwaters, salvaging possessions from their inundated homes.
Gamane marks the onset of Madagascar’s annual cyclone and storm season this year. In comparison, early the previous year saw the devastating impacts of cyclone Freddy and tropical storm Cheneso, which claimed at least 37 lives and uprooted thousands from their homes.