Tropical Cyclone “Batsiari” death toll rises to 111, Madagascar

ByTeo Blašković
tropical-cyclone-batsiari-death-toll-madagascar

Image credit:  Sujet JT LCI (stillshot)

The number of casualties caused by the passage of Intense Tropical Cyclone "Batsiari" over Madagascar rose to 111 on Friday, February 11, 2022. Batsirai made landfall just north of the city of Mananjary, Vatovavy region on February 5, with wind speeds of 165 km/h (102 mph) and gusts up to 230 km/h (143 mph). This is the second named storm of the 2021/22 Southwest Indian Ocean cyclone season and the second to move over the country within just 2 weeks.

Of 111 casualties, 87 died in Ikongo district on the east coast of the country.1

More than 62 000 individuals have been displaced in more than 100 shelters, and more than 116 000 affected by the disaster, according to the Office of Risks and Disasters (BNGRC).

Severe damage has been reported to infrastructure and buildings, including schools and health centers. 

The cyclone destroyed about 3 000 dwellings and government buildings and flooded 5 700 others in Mananjary and nearby towns, officials said.

Tropical Cyclone "Batsirai" making landfall over Madagascar on February 5, 2022. Credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat-11, RAMMB/CIRA, TW

More than 17 000 houses, 2 000 classrooms and 59 health centers have been destroyed, damaged or flooded across the country. Current analysis mentions 8 200 homes destroyed and 2 700 damaged.

Batsirai struck the island less than two weeks after prolonged heavy rains brought by Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and Tropical Storm "Ana" left 55 people dead.

Ana was still a tropical depression when it moved over Madagascar on January 22, further exacerbating severe floods caused by ITCZ since January 17. In the capital Antananarivo, this severe rainfall event dumped several months' worth of rain. January is the wettest month in the capital, with a monthly average of 340 mm (13.39 inches).2

Ana made landfall over Mozambique on January 24, and continued moving west over Malawi while weakening and dissipating, but still dumping very heavy rain. It's blamed for the deaths of at least 70 people in Mozambique, Malawi and Madagascar. At one point, entire Malawi was without power.3

References:

1 Madagascar death toll from Tropical Cyclone Batsirai rises to 92 – The East African

2 Tropical Cyclone "Ana" leaves at least 70 people dead, Batsirai forms east of Madagascar – The Watchers

3 Most of Malawi without power after floods caused by Tropical Cyclone "Ana" – The Watchers

Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.

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