Further severe weather in Madagascar leads to 26 dead, 15 missing after floods in 7 regions (UPDATE)

Floodlist
Fri, 24 Jan 2020 12:25 UTC

Further severe weather has affected parts of Madagascar over the last few days.

On 21 January FloodList reported that at least 6 people had died in floods and landslides in several parts of the country during a period of heavy rainfall from 07 January, with more severe weather forecast.

Since then the country's National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) has reported further severe flooding in at least 7 regions of the country.

On 23 January, BNGRC said that 13 people have died in recent flooding, which has affected over 47,000 people in the regions of Diana, Boeny, Analamanga, Melaky, Sofia, Betsiboka and Alaotra Mangoro.

A total of 7,786 homes have been flooded, with around 45 completely destroyed, including 7 in Analamanga, 12 in Betsiboka and 24 in Boeny. Several national roads have been closed and wide areas of crops damaged.

Social Media

‼️Grosses inondations à #Madagascar !

Pensée et invocations 🤲 pour les habitants et pour nos frères sur place qui vérifient vos projets et qui parcourent les routes du pays dans des conditions très difficiles.#inondations #madagascar #invocations #travaux #suivi pic.twitter.com/UaZW5avySj

— Nouvelle optique (@Nouvelleoptique) January 23, 2020

Comment: Update: Floodlist reports on Jan 26th:

The government of Madagascar has declared a national disaster in the face of ongoing torrential rain and flooding in the country.

The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) said that as many as 26 people have now died as a result of the recent severe weather, with 15 people reported missing.

Almost 93,000 people have now been affected, with the regions of Alaotra Mangoro (3 fatalities), Analamanga, Betsiboka (9), Boeny (13), Diana, Melaky and Sofia (1) among the worst affected.

Flooding and heavy rains have also caused severe material damages, in particular to housing. According to BNGRC, more than 10,000 homes have been flooded, with 46 completely destroyed. National roads are still cut in several locations. BNGRC said around 12,000 people have been displaced.

The government has distributed food, water treatment kits and medicine to affected areas and President Andry Rajoelina visited affected areas on 24 January. Rajoelina said many had been rescued by boats and helicopters but there still more victims in desperate need of help and relief.

© Office of the President of Madagascar

Flood rescues in Madagascar, January 2020.