Tropical storm in Madagascar: At least 25 dead, roads flooded and crops destroyed

Two dozen Madagascans have died and tens of thousands been left homeless since a severe tropical storm made landfall last week and swirled for days off the island's western coast, official records showed Sunday.

Cyclone Cheneso smashed into northeastern Madagascar 10 days ago, bringing heavy winds and triggering downpours that have caused extensive flooding.

Over the week it has tracked south-eastwards, extending damage to houses, schools and cutting off several national roads.

Twenty-five people are now known to have died and 21 others are still missing, according to an update from Madagascar's risk management office.

At least 83,181 people have been affected, with nearly 38,000 displaced from their homes.

Cheneso -- which temporarily intensified to a tropical cyclone in recent days with winds of 118-166 kilometres per hour (73-103 miles per hour) -- "has started to lose its purely tropical characteristic," according to the southwest Indian ocean Regional Specialist Meteorological Centre based in the French overseas island of La Reunion

Storm Cheneso made landfall on January 19, packing winds of up to 110 kilometres per hour.

It is the first tropical storm of the current cyclone season in southern Africa -- which typically runs from November to April -- to hit the cyclone-prone large Indian ocean island.

Indonesia - 5 Killed in North Sulawesi Floods and Landslides

At least five people died after flash floods swept through areas of Manado City in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on 27 January 2023.

Disaster authorities in the country reported heavy rain and the overflow of the Tondano watershed inundated around 400 homes. Flood waters were up to 3 metres deep in some areas. A total of 1,021 people were displaced in the districts of Tikala, Paal 2, Tuminting, Singkil and Wanang. One person died in the floods and a bridge was severely damaged.

Furthermore heavy rain in the area caused multiple landslides in the area, severely damaging over 50 houses and public buildings. Disaster authorities reported 4 people lost their lives as a result.

The Manado City Government has declared an emergency status.

The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (Badan Meteorologi Klimatologi dan Geofisika Indonesia - BMKG) reported Sam Ratulangi International Airport, located 13 km northeast of Manado recorded 238 mm of rain in 24 hours to 27 January and 216.7 mm in the following 24 hour period.

Six people died after heavy rain triggered floods and landslides in Manado City on 16 January 2021.

Two people died and at least 155 households were affected by floods and landslides in the city in March 2022.

Record floods in New Zealand claim at least four lives

Australian disaster relief experts will travel to New Zealand in the coming days after record floods swamped homes, inundated Auckland Airport, and claimed at least four lives.

Malaysia - Floods in Johor and Pahang After 430mm of Rain in 24 Hours

Over 4,000 people have been displaced by flooding in the states of Johor and Pahang in Malaysia. Flooding has also affected parts of Sabah State on the island of Borneo.

© Korporat JBPMFlood rescue in Johor, Malaysia, 24 January 2023.

Johor and Pahang States

Flooding began on 24 January 2023 where initially 400 people were evacuated from homes in areas of Kluang, Kota Tinggi and Segamat districts.

According to figures from Malaysia's Department of Irrigation and Drainage, as much as 344 mm of rain fell in 24 hours to 24 January in Segamat and 432 mm during the same period in Mersing. Rivers are above the danger mark in at least 5 locations.

Johor State firefighters rescued 3 people from a vehicle trapped in flood waters in Labis, Johor on 24 January.

As of 25 January, the National Disaster Management Agency reported a total of 4,382 people now displaced by flooding in Batu Pahat, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Muar and Segamat. Military teams were deployed to aid flood victims in Segamat.

In the neighbouring state of Pahang, around 7 people were displaced after floods in Rompin district. The Department of Irrigation and Drainage reported the Keratoan river was above the danger mark near Bahau Keratong in Rompin district. As of 25 January, the river stood at 23.36 metres where the danger level is 23 metres. The river is forecast to rise further over the coming days.

Sabah State

Meanwhile, flooding has also affected Sabah state in East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. The National Disaster Management Agency said a total of 607 people have been displaced, as of 25 January, from homes in the districts of Kudat and Pitas. As much as 225 mm of rain fell in a few hours in Beluran on 25 January.

Local disaster agencies also reported floods and evacuations in Kota Marudu District in Kudat Division.