Six dead, 15 000 homeless in Madagascar cyclone

The Bingiza Cyclone which hit northern Madagascar earlier this week has claimed six lives and left one person missing, with more than 15 000 people homeless and 8 530 buildings ruined.

The Indian Ocean island's emergency office said the dead included four family members who drowned in the tropical hurricane, with gusts reaching 200 kilometres per hour.

In the south-east, home to the country's vital pepper and vanilla crops, most areas are flooded after the heavy rains. Floods are also threatening Farafangana further south.

Care International and the Red Cross have mobilised emergency work in regions cut off, and are being aided by helicopters.